Following a robust procurement process, Norfolk County Council has awarded a five year contract for the provision of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme to Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

Lucy Macleod, Interim Director of Public Health at Norfolk County Council, said: “Norfolk’s new Healthy Child Programme 0-19 will have contact with every child in Norfolk at key points in their life, offering early and targeted help for families and making it easier for them to access support and improve their service experience.

“We look forward to working with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, our new provider, on a new service which we believe will make a significant contribution to improving school readiness and attendance, better mental health, closing the health inequality gap and reducing the prevalence of smoking and substance misuse.”

Welcoming the announcement, Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract from 1 October 2015.  Our Trust has a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission, which includes the services we provide to 0-19 year olds across Cambridgeshire and Luton.  As the existing provider of sexual health services across Norfolk we have a real insight in to local needs.  We welcome this opportunity to build on the existing high quality services provided to the children and young people of Norfolk.”

“We are in a unique position to be working in partnership with Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, as well as Iceni Healthcare Ltd, a group of over 100 independent GP practices across Norfolk and Waveney which has the people and local NHS of Norfolk at its heart.”

Commenting on the contract award, Ian Thornton, Community Sports Foundation Director added: "CSF is delighted to be working in partnership with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust to continue to develop our healthy lifestyle programmes through schools and families. As a Foundation we were really impressed with their understanding of the local need and how these areas can be addressed. This will lead to some outstanding opportunities in Norfolk over the next 5 years."

John Fraser, Chief Executive Officer, Iceni Healthcare Limited stated: “This is an exciting opportunity for health services in Norfolk. There is much to be proud of in the local NHS but we know that working closely with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and our member practices, we can achieve even more for children and young people.”  

Charlotte Pike, Chief Operating Officer, Iceni Healthcare Limited added: “By developing integrated, innovative services across primary and community services, based on our understanding of local needs, we intend to ensure the very best outcomes for families.”

Commenting on the successful award, John Peberdy, Service Director of Children’s Services, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust said: “Norfolk residents can be assured that these services will continue to be provided by existing, local clinicians.  We recognise the skills and knowledge of these clinicians and look forward to working with them and other stakeholders, including Norfolk County Council’s children’s services, to develop shared ambitions for the future to improve outcomes for children and their families.”