Delivering Better Continence Care Through Value-Based Procurement – A New Model for Community Healthcare

A recent pilot in a UK community healthcare setting has demonstrated how a Value-Based Procurement (VBP) approach can transform continence care in care homes, delivering better outcomes for residents, supporting care staff, and improving system efficiency.

The pilot, conducted in partnership between an NHS trust and a supplier on our compliant frameworks, focused on tailoring continence care to individual needs. By shifting the focus from product cost to overall value, the initiative aimed to improve patient experience, reduce operational pressures, and support sustainability goals.

This approach directly supports the ambitions of the NHS’s Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England by shifting care from hospital to community, empowering staff, and delivering better outcomes through value-based approaches. It also builds on the foundations laid by the NHS Long Term Plan (2019), which called for more integrated, personalised care.

Residents involved in the pilot experienced noticeable improvements in comfort, dignity, and independence. Care staff reported greater satisfaction with the ease of delivering continence care, and the approach helped streamline daily routines, allowing more time to be spent on other aspects of care.

This person-centred model of care reflects the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan, which calls for more personalised services, better support for ageing populations, and improved working conditions for frontline staff.

The pilot also demonstrated how VBP can contribute to wider system goals. By optimising product use and care processes, the approach helped reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and improve resource use and supporting the NHS’s commitment to Net Zero and smarter procurement.

We delivered this pilot in close collaboration with a supplier, leveraging a unique partnership to co-develop a model that is both scalable and adaptable. While the principles and outcomes are applicable across the NHS, the success of this approach reflects the depth of collaboration and shared expertise. The model offers a robust framework for other trusts and care settings aiming to enhance continence care through VBP.

This pilot serves as a blueprint for NHS organisations seeking to enhance continence care in care homes. By focusing on outcomes rather than unit costs, VBP offers a practical route to better care, better value, and a more sustainable future.