in General, Industry, Surgical News
NHS Procurement Review & Small Businesses
it is interesting reading the procurement review from the government and new intentions for the NHS; for small businesses it is positive in respect of discussions around speedier payments and simplifying the tender processes, eliminating PQQ for spend under £100,000. Most interestingly, the NHS are looking to double their spend with SMEs in the next two years.
The Small Business Research Initiative could be an interesting tie up, to facilitate new innovations getting to the market quicker in a more transparent market with an estimated commitment to spend of £20m over the next few years, for specific need based projects. Alongside this, the Academic Health Science Networks, are deemed to be more responsive in helping the NHS, identifying key areas where innovation is required. Small businesses a re good at reacting quickly to the market and developing new products, so this should benefit patients in the long term.
On the procurement changes for small businesses, reverse procurement fairs are discussed, where SMEs could present their products. There is also an acknowledgement that procurement will be looking at products from a lifetime value perspective, rather than a short term saving.
With the introduction of GS1 coding it could allow procurement to benchmark products like for like in a transparent manner. NHS Supply Chain is mentioned for reviewing framework agreements and offering a minimum spend on these, which would certainly allow SMEs to look at offering their best possible deals to the NHS.
I think overall greater engagement with SMEs will give a better understanding of what they can offer the NHS and clinically educated procurement departments, will be able to utilise these relationships.
The review can be found here: