Supply of HIV point-of-care tests to 32 Southwark GP practices for NHS Healthchecks

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London Borough of Southwark awarded a contract to Invitech Ltd for an activity-led service to provide HIV point-of-care tests (POCT) to 32 GP practices delivering NHS Healthchecks in Southwark.

The contract covered provision of HIV POCT for an area delivering approximately 6,000 NHS Healthchecks per year, with an estimated 50% uptake of HIV testing (around 3,000 tests per year, or circa 250 per month, subject to actual uptake).

Orders were to be placed by GP practice managers via the supplier’s website or ordering system (for example, an Excel spreadsheet form), and Invitech Ltd was to invoice Southwark Council for supplied POCT.

The supplier was required to provide information on quality control requirements and deliver training on storage and use of the POCT to GP practices; each practice conducted its own quality control testing according to test standards, and the supplier handled enquiries about the tests.

Commissioners monitored activity and received monthly activity reports from the supplier for each GP practice to ensure budget control and service delivery.

The contract specified mobilisation timelines, with shipping of the first batch of HIV POCT to GP practices by 29 April 2025 at the latest and NHS Healthchecks with HIV POCT beginning on 5 May 2025.