The Ministry of Defence (MOD) (‘the Authority’) is seeking to commission a high quality, accessible and comprehensive Defence Healthy Child Programme (DEFHCP). This will be broadly aligned to the Unit

INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) (‘the Authority’) is seeking to commission a high quality, accessible and comprehensive Defence Healthy Child Programme (DEFHCP). This will be broadly aligned to the United Kingdom (UK) National Healthy Child Programme (UK HCP) but with key adaptations to meet the specific needs of Defence and its overseas population. The DEFHCP will deliver a 0-19 prevention and care system in partnership with Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC), Defence Medical Command (DMedC), education, welfare and community services for eligible family members (EFMs) based overseas. The aim is to have an integrated, accessible, and responsive midwifery and specialist community public health nurse(s) (SCPHN) support service that delivers a coherent prevention and early help programme for children, young people, and their families living overseas to improve outcome and reduce inequalities. This will strengthen the governance and assurance of overseas healthcare. Healthcare coordination, delivery and funding for Defence overseas’ populations differs from that which would normally be expected in the National Health Service (NHS) and / or public health programmes in the UK. The DEFHCP is intended to be a programme that is very closely integrated with the primary care system delivered by DPHC Overseas (DPHC(O)), more so than would be normal practice in the UK. This vision is aligned to a more enhanced version of an aspiration in the Governments 10 Year Health Plan and the recent update to public health nursing commissioning guidance , which calls for the inclusion of 0-19 services in neighbourhood health centres to facilitate the clear benefits of co-location and close working relationships between healthcare partners. AIM The DEFHCP aims to deliver a single point of access to clinical public health services providing community midwifery and SCPHN 0-19 services for the overseas population. The aim is to support parents and families through preconception, pregnancy and child development thus improving health outcomes and ensuring that those at risk are identified at the earliest possible opportunity.