Request for Proposals: End to End PrEP Direct to Consumer Pilot
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) plays a key role in reducing HIV transmission. However, easy and equitable access to PrEP continues to present a critical barrier to the UK becoming the first country to eliminate new infections by 2030. The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Fast Track Cities, Gilead and ViiV Health are together seeking to fund innovative approaches that improve access, equity and cost effectiveness of existing PrEP pathways and provide a scalable and sustainable blueprint for future services.
The Foundation is seeking to support a pilot of a digital, end to end, direct to consumer pathway for the supply of PrEP in England: from initiation through to PrEP delivery. i.e. service users complete an online assessment and access all associated STI and eGFR testing online and ultimately receive their PrEP prescription at a location of their choosing.
Applicants will need to be able to mobilise and deliver a pilot service within an 18-month period: from January 2025 – July 2026.
Given the timeframe, the Foundation will expect applicants to already have in place
- An existing online Direct to Consumer STI testing & treatment provider and/or the capacity to commission the necessary services and deliver a clinical care pathway that can inform a meaningful evaluation within the pilot timeframe
- A Clinical governance framework
- An existing relationship between an online provider and Sexual Health Services for the management of test results, handover of complex patients etc
The Foundation will expect applicants to demonstrate how the proposed pilot will:
- Increase PrEP access overall
- Increase uptake in under-represented groups especially heterosexual men and women*
- Assess cost effectiveness / affordability of different models
- Assess acceptability of different models to different target groups
The maximum budget for applications is £500,000.
The closing date for applications is the 15th November 2024
Click here for a full description of this funding opportunity and application criteria.
Request for Proposals: Bundled Pathways and Sexual Health Service Enhancements
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) plays a key role in reducing HIV transmission. However, easy and equitable access to PrEP continues to present a critical barrier to the UK becoming the first country to eliminate new infections by 2030. The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Fast Track Cities, Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare are together seeking to fund innovative approaches that improve access, equity and cost effectiveness of existing PrEP pathways and provide a scalable and sustainable blueprint for future services.
This consortium is seeking to support approaches in England which integrate PrEP services into existing clinical care pathways (e.g. antenatal care, pharmacy, GP, abortion services). These existing care pathways provide avenues to address PrEP awareness and initiation (if relevant), with ongoing care and support delivered in adapted sexual health service.
Applicants will need to be able to develop and deliver bundled pathways and sexual health service enhancements within an 18-month period: from January 2025 until August 2026.
Given the timeframe, the Foundation will expect applicants to already have in place
- Existing partnership or integrated commissioning arrangements between Local Authority and ICB/local NHS that will allow for the development and delivery of an integrated or partnership model
- A local Strategy or action plan that identifies HIV as a priority
- Local funding streams to support pilot models to ensure scalability and sustainability
The Foundation will expect applicants to demonstrate how the proposed pilot will:
- Increase PrEP access overall in the targeted geography
- Increase uptake in under-represented groups, especially heterosexual and bisexual women *
- Assess cost effectiveness / affordability of different models
- Assess acceptability of different models to different target groups
The maximum budget for applications is £500,000
The closing date for applications is the 15th November 2024
Click here for a full description of this funding opportunity and application criteria.
