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

This article was originally published on 29 September 2025 and updated on 8 October 2026

This real-world clinical example demonstrates one trust’s experience with a specific solution available through our frameworks. The inclusion of supplier names and/or products in this testimonial are intended strictly for educational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of the individual suppliers by NHS Supply Chain.

The results and findings presented are specific to the project featured. As a supplier-agnostic organisation, we support informed choice across the full range of solutions within each category.

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 was conducted in partnership between Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Essity, a supplier available through NHS Supply Chain frameworks. It focused on tailoring continence care to individual needs and applying Value-Based Procurement principles to improve outcomes. By shifting the focus from product cost to overall value, the initiative aimed to improve patient experience, reduce operational pressures and support sustainability goals.

The project concentrated on care delivery, clinical outcomes and system-wide improvements rather than specific products. Through assessment and optimisation of continence care pathways, the pilot sought to enhance resident wellbeing, improve staff experience and deliver measurable efficiencies across the care setting.

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 and 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.

The project demonstrated significant clinical and operational benefits, including:

• A 100% reduction in leakages following intervention.
• Improvements in skin health for all residents with pre-existing skin damage.
• Increased independence, with 42% of residents becoming more independent in managing their continence needs.
• Enhanced dignity and comfort through improved care and product selection.
• An increase in carer satisfaction from 10% to 95%.

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.

TheThe pilot demonstrated how Value-Based Procurement (VBP) can contribute to wider system goals. By optimising care processes and product utilisation, the approach reduced waste, lowered environmental impact and improved resource utilisation, supporting the NHS commitment to Net Zero and smarter procurement.

The project also delivered measurable financial benefits, with annual savings equivalent to more than £188,000 through a combination of optimised product usage, reduced staff time and lower laundry costs.

 In addition, the pilot identified specific waste-related sustainability benefits:

• Total carbon saving from waste reduction: 13.41 kgCO₂e
• Total annual cost saving from waste reduction: £733.98
• Carbon saving per patient (waste-related): 0.71 kgCO₂e
• Cost saving per patient (waste-related): £38.63

 While the carbon and cost savings based on 1,000 patients do not apply directly to this specific case study, they illustrate the potential for significant impact if similar approaches were implemented at scale. This highlights how Value-Based Procurement can support sustainability and efficiency objectives through waste reduction initiatives.

This pilot was delivered through collaboration between the NHS trust, NHS Supply Chain and Essity, combining clinical expertise, procurement insight and practical implementation support. The success of the project reflects the strength of this partnership and the application of Value-Based Procurement principles to address local challenges.

While the specific outcomes relate to this individual project, the methodology provides a scalable framework that could be adapted by other NHS organisations and care settings seeking to improve continence care outcomes.

This pilot serves as an example of how NHS organisations can enhance continence care through a focus on outcomes rather than unit costs alone. Value-Based Procurement offers a practical route to better care, better value and a more sustainable future.

Community healthcare providers interested in exploring similar initiatives are encouraged to seek guidance on implementation approaches, evaluation methods and the range of solutions available through NHS Supply Chain frameworks.

For more information, please contact your Account Support Manager