Online sexual health testing services - Find a freedom of information request

We are researching the use of online sexual health testing services. These services allow citizens concerned that they may have a sexually transmitted infection to order a test kit to be sent to their home, and then to either self-test at home, or return a sample to the laboratory, receive a result usually via email or text message, and to obtain medicines and further advice if required. The services are part of local government public health responsibilities

Please answer the following questions in relation to online sexual health services.

1. Does the authority commission or procure these services

2. In each of the financial periods 2021-22, 2022-23, April 2023 to December 2023

a. How much did the authority spend overall on sexual health testing services

b. How much did the authority spend on online services

c. How many citizens were tested using online services

3. How much was spent (by the authority or predecessor organisations) in each period with each of the following providers for online sexual health services

a. Preventx

b. SH 24

c. TDL or their NHS joint venture, Health Service Laboratories

d. Viapath

e. Synlab or their joint venture, Synnovis

f. Lloyd's pharmacy

g. NHS Trusts/ their laboratory services

h. Other. Please name any provider where the spend in any year exceeded £100,000

4. When did the authority last issue a tender for these services

5. When does the current contract expire

1. Lincolnshire County Council does not commission or procure these separately from the integrated sexual health services (ISHS). Our commissioned ISHS is responsible for procuring online testing services.

2a. This information is publicly available on the Contracts Register, which can be accessed at https://procontract.due-north.com You will need to register to access the site, but this is free to complete.

2b. The Council does not hold the information in relation to online sexual health services as a block payment is made to provide the contracted ISHS.

2c. Lincolnshire County Council does not hold this information.

3 (all). The Council does not hold the information in relation to online sexual health services as a block payment is made to provide the contracted ISHS.

4. 06/10/2023

5. This information is publicly available on the Contracts Register, which can be accessed at

https://procontract.due-north.com

You will need to register to access the site, but this is free to complete.

As such, this information is exempt from disclosure in accordance with the exemption set out at Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which provides that a public authority need not comply with a request for disclosure under the Act where that information is reasonably accessible by other means.