Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council (the Authorities) have successfully awarded a contract for the for an Online Sexual Health Service (Lot 2). The Authorities were not able to award any contracts for the provision for Integrated Sexual Health Service (Lot 1), and for the provision for Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Service (Lot 3).

The service will deliver and manage a secure and accessible, online sexual health service that facilitates a comprehensive sexual health assessment, remote STI and HIV home sampling and diagnosis test kit, without the need to see a healthcare practitioner for; sexually active individuals aged 16 years and over residing in Leicestershire and Rutland.

The provider will deliver 24 hours a day accessible service, capable of processing high volumes of requests simultaneously.

Service aims are:

 to increase knowledge of risks associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and refer to appropriate services

- to help contribute to a reduction in the rate of unplanned pregnancies, particularly in under 18s

- reduce late diagnosis of HIV and undiagnosed HIV

- provision of STI testing, (some treatment) and partner notification

- increase the uptake of HIV testing

- to enable providers to be active participants in an integrated multi-disciplinary service to help ensure easy and swift access to advice

Service objectives include:

- delivery of a user friendly, non-judgemental, client centred and confidential online sexual health service

- Identify:

- Eligibility

- Risk

- Vulnerabilities

- Need

- Appropriate testing

- Any required referrals to an alternative/additional service provider/s

- provide rapid and easy access to STI testing (and some treatments)

- provide rapid easy access to contraception