Contract Launch BriefNew

Needlefree Connection Systems and Associated Products

• Start date:01/11/2007End date:31/10/2011
• Contract term:until 31 October 2011
• Supply route:Stocked | Blue Diamond |
• Product area:Clinical | IV Therapy |

NHS Supply Chain is pleased to inform our customers about our new Needlefree Connections systems contract, the key features of which are listed below:

• safety products 
• additional suppliers
• choice of product, pricing and added value
• commitment discounts
• new innovative products 

Needlefree connection systems are predominantly used to deliver drugs to patients at the point of care.

Eight suppliers are on the contract, offering a range of products including popular branded lines, lower cost alternatives and innovative safety devices. This allows healthy competition, innovation and customer choice regarding the after-sales service and training.

The contract covers over 160 lines and the majority are held as stock items due to the unique units of issue offered by NHS Supply Chain (many wards do not have the storage facilities to hold large quantities of all the Needlefree products). Some of the slower-moving speciality lines are available via our Blue Diamond route.

Benefits

Prices and savings

Although there have been limited line-by-line price reductions, all manufacturers have incurred significant cost pressures due to the increased cost of raw materials and in-service training of new devices. However, prices have remained competitive with the addition of customer based commitment discounts.

The contract is a shared award with eight suppliers, based on the separate product category groups. This will enable switching strategies that could generate savings for the NHS, with further discounts for those who can commit to individual suppliers.

Further information

Should you require further information on the new contract, or how to order the new products, please contact your local Purchasing Department/Supplies Team or your NHS Supply Chain Account Manager/Customer Services Team, Alternatively, please contact Mark Roberts, NHS Supply Chain Procurement Category Manager (Medical) on 07789 995478 or at the following email address: mark.roberts@supplychain.nhs.uk.