NHS case study

NHS Digital

Undermasthead Shape
NHS Digital (formerly HSCIC), were needing to encourage take-up in new systems and services for GP practices to reduce waiting time to see doctors, facilitate remote access to a doctor where it is difficult for the patient to attend, or where it is routine, a repeat check-up or only dispensing of medicines.

This led to a procurement programme to introduce new technology applications to help diagnose illness and automatically identify treatment and provide video conference GP appointments and online booking of appointments.

It proved clear that when it comes to procurement strategy and choice of contract structure the hard thinking up front pays dividends later on.

Objectives

  • Leadership and strategic direction
  • Negotiations
  • Consultancy regarding procurement strategy
  • Bidder engagement / stakeholder management
  • Sourcing strategy and category management strategy

It is important to plan your procurement strategy, method of evaluation scoring and business case – procurement is usually a costly and prolonged process so you need to get it right and bring the bidders along on the journey with you.

This was a multifaceted project, of which the primary components included Clear engagement on multiple fronts, specifically, market engagement, commercial, contract, procurement and category management services. Contracting via 3 lots through a complex framework agreement and procured through the competitive dialogue process including 50 suppliers bidding for £1bn spend per annum.

  • Services
  • - Category Management
  • - Procurement Strategy
  • - Business Case Production
  • - Market Engagement
  • - Requirement Identification
  • - Evaluation Methodology
  • - Negotiation
  • - Contract Drafting
NHS

I worked alongside Clear on a complex and time-critical procurement. Despite the challenging conditions, Clear remained pragmatic, focused and good-humoured throughout. They never lost sight of the bigger picture and one of their strengths is the ability to spot risks early-on, to identify practical and workable solutions and to deliver results.

Achievements

Successfully designed a bespoke multi-supplier Framework Agreement according to challenging timescales and ongoing changes in NHS policy and Ministerial policy, complex user requirements and competing and sometimes contentious stakeholder relationships.

This delivered access to GP Practices across England and Wales to vast array of innovative technology solutions provided by market experts from around the globe, already vetted and signed up to pre agreed terms, prices and standards which continue to inform the procurement process within NHS Digital.