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NHS Supply Chain Drives Medical Technology Innovation with Dynamic Purchasing System

14 January 2025

We have been developing the next stages in the journey to streamline and accelerate access to ground-breaking medical technologies with our updated Medical Technology Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This innovative procurement process ensures that suppliers and NHS organisations can collaborate more effectively to bring transformative solutions to patients faster than ever before.

Why it’s taken time: getting it right first time

Since its initial launch, the DPS has undergone rigorous due diligence to ensure that it not only meets the needs of NHS trusts but also delivers an equitable and efficient solution for suppliers. Feedback from suppliers and trusts alike has highlighted the importance of balancing accessibility, compliance, and support. With these insights, the process has been refined to ensure ease of use while upholding the highest standards of governance.

Clinician comforting older female patient

What is DPS?

Unlike framework agreements, this Dynamic Purchasing System offers a more agile procurement process.

  • Always open: suppliers can join at any time during the DPS’s seven-year lifetime.
  • Simplified approval: streamlining supplier access to the NHS Supply Chain route to market solutions.
  • Innovation first: focuses on supporting access to cutting-edge medical technologies which address evolving healthcare challenges.

How it works

For suppliers with products deemed innovative and aligned with Department of Health and Social Care or NICE definitions, our Innovation team provides a Unique Reference Number (URN). This URN acts as a ‘key’, unlocking the tender process through Jaggaer, our e-tendering platform.

This streamlined system reduces the burden on suppliers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creating opportunities to bring their innovations to NHS organisations and patients.

Products now available

We’re excited to highlight that we now have four innovative products available through the DPS, showcasing ground-breaking advancements in medical technology.

These innovations exemplify the transformative potential of the DPS, delivering better outcomes for patients and supporting NHS clinicians with state-of-the-art solutions.

Medical Team Performing Surgical Operation in Modern Operating Room

What’s new?

The DPS now features:

  • Enhanced accessibility: Expanded categories to cover emerging medical technology areas.
  • Support for SMEs: Ensuring smaller businesses can navigate the system with ease.
  • Outcome-driven processes: Directly addressing patient safety, cost efficiencies, and clinical outcomes by fostering collaboration between suppliers and trusts.

Benefits of the DPS:

  • Improved patient care: Access to innovative technologies that enhance treatment and outcomes.
  • Reduced burden on clinicians: Streamlined procurement means healthcare staff can focus more on patient care.
  • Financial efficiencies: Simplified supply chains lead to cost savings across NHS trusts.
  • Ongoing innovation: Keeps the NHS at the forefront of medical advancements by continuously integrating new solutions.

Categories included in the DPS

The relaunch also highlights an expanded range of medical technology categories, such as:

Audiology
Cardiology
Endoscopy

Endourology
Interventional Radiology
Neuromodulation inclusive of IDDP

Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine
Perfusion.

Looking ahead

DPS reaffirms our commitment to empowering suppliers and NHS organisations alike, fostering collaboration that drives patient-focused innovation.

By leveraging the scale of NHS Supply Chain, the DPS ensures that the UK healthcare system can access the latest advancements efficiently and compliantly.

Stay engaged:

See our Useful Links section If you’re a supplier or customer ready to explore the benefits of the DPS.