Tees Wide Universal Condom Offer

Overview

This contract has been secured under an exemption and falls outside of normal HBC Contract Procedure Rules. The four Teesside local authorities - Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees (operating through the Tees Collaborative Commissioning Partnership) have commissioned the use of a 12 month Condom Distribution Service Pilot. Sexual health interventions provide significant public value and deliver substantial cost savings across the health and social care system. Public Health England's Return on Investment analysis demonstrates that every £1 invested in publicly funded contraception generates £9 in wider public‑sector savings, largely through the prevention of unintended pregnancies. This is supported by other evidence further highlighting the cost-effectiveness of preventative services. A comprehensive review of sexual health provision across Teesside-supported by public and stakeholder engagement and informed by the Tees Sexual Health Needs Assessment (2023)-identified ongoing challenges. These include comparatively high rates of sexually transmitted infections, particularly syphilis, alongside elevated levels of unplanned pregnancies and under‑18 conceptions leading to abortion. The absence of standalone sexual health or teenage pregnancy strategies across Teesside reinforces a gap in coordinated, strategic planning. The Sexual Health Needs Assessment recommends improved access to sexual health services, reduced inequalities, strengthened contraceptive provision, and enhanced STI prevention, testing, and treatment, leading to the implementation of this pilot initiative. The pilot aims to support residents aged 13+ at risk of poor sexual health by offering convenient, stigma‑free access to free condoms by post, thereby removing travel and cost barriers. Young people will also retain the option to collect condoms from existing pick-up sites. The selected provider has an established record of delivering condom distribution services to 13+ with robust safeguarding systems aligned to local processes, and the capability to deliver training as required. The pilot will also explore complementary opportunities relating to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and workforce training. This innovative digital approach will generate valuable insight into population demand, support improved sexual health outcomes, and inform the future design of integrated, equitable sexual health services across Teesside. The contract spend inputted (£100,000) represents the total spend across all 4 local authorities.