Complete Ophthalmology Solutions 2 national framework agreement launched by NHS Supply Chain

A new ophthalmology national framework agreement which brings together three legacy agreements, while also adding new categories, has been launched by NHS Supply Chain.

Complete Ophthalmology Solutions 2 (COS2) covers all ophthalmology requirements from intraocular lenses (IOLs), accessories and consumables to Ophthalmic Capital Equipment and Associated Accessories used in various diagnostic and surgical environments.

It has 48 suppliers, eight of which are new to the framework and five that are new to NHS Supply Chain. The framework is split into two lots, covering consumable and capital products.

Among the consumable products supplied are Intraocular Lenses (IOLs), Monofocal Lens, Preloaded Monofocal Lens, Multifocal Lens, Preloaded Multifocal Lens, Toric Lens, Preloaded Toric Lens. These are implanted into the eye to treat cataracts or other eye conditions.

To develop the new framework, NHS Supply Chain: Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine, and Ophthalmology, engaged with charities, NHS trusts and Moorfields Eye Hospital to gain their input.

The framework also includes:

• Single use or reusable ophthalmic surgical instruments for carrying out operations
• Ophthalmic procedure packs and accessories, which contain the equipment needed for a procedure in sterile packaging
• Ophthalmic solutions, used to sooth and reduce irritation in eyes
• Ophthalmic gases, which are used to help the eye heal
• General Ophthalmic accessories and consumables
• Ophthalmic equipment/systems including maintenance

The capital equipment includes ranges of:

• Ophthalmic diagnostic equipment
• Ophthalmic ultrasound equipment
• Ophthalmic surgical equipment
• Femtosecond and photoablation lasers, which are used in cataract surgery
• Ophthalmic laser equipment
• Slit lamp equipment, used to examine the eye in detail
• Retinal imaging systems, which are used to create a two-dimensional image of the three-dimensional retinal tissue as part of the diagnosis of eye conditions
• Ophthalmoscopes and retinoscopes, which are used to test for the early signs of eye conditions by testing the red reflex produced in the eye when a light is flashed at it

Steve Vandyken, Category Tower Director for NHS Supply Chain: Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine, and Ophthalmology, said: “In developing this new framework agreement we have engaged with key stakeholders across the NHS and with suppliers.

“COS2 simplifies the offer by bringing together elements of the three legacy framework agreements but with the addition of categories that our customers have said they want and need.”

Complete Ophthalmology Solutions 2 replaces three previous framework agreements which were Intraocular Lenses, Ophthalmic Packs, Instruments Consumables and Equipment; Ophthalmic Capital Equipment; and Complete Ophthalmology Solutions.

The new framework will run until 30 June 2025.

See our Useful Links section to find out more about the framework alongside a customer engagement guide which helps customers to understand the process and the opportunities available.

About NHS Supply Chain’s role in the Covid-19 response

• The Government has set up new PPE Dedicated Supply Channel which is a parallel supply chain to the normal NHS Supply Chain service. It has been set up by Government to meet the urgent volume requirements for core personal protective equipment (PPE) items, allowing NHS Supply Chain to focus on ensuring the supply of medical devices and clinical consumables to our NHS.

• The Government has set up a dedicated unit to focus on securing supplies of PPE led by the government’s commercial function. This unit is identifying PPE suppliers from across the globe to meet the increasing demand for a growing list of PPE products.  NHS Supply Chain’s PPE buying teams have been seconded to the unit which is led by the government.

• NHS Supply Chain has expanded its operations to support the stand up of seven NHS Nightingale Hospitals set up across the UK, including NHS Nightingale London, Birmingham, North West (Manchester), Yorkshire and the Humber (Harrogate), Bristol, North East (Washington) and Exeter. Equipment and consumables supplied include ventilators, patient monitors and CT scanners.

About NHS Supply Chain

NHS Supply Chain manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

Managing more than 4.5 million orders per year, across 94,000 order points and 15,000 locations, NHS Supply Chain systems consolidate orders from over 800 suppliers, saving trusts time and money and removing duplication of overlapping contracts. 

Lord Carter’s report into efficiency and productivity in the NHS, published in 2015, identified unwarranted variation in procurement across the NHS, resulting in the need to improve operational efficiencies to transform a fragmented procurement landscape. To undertake this transformation the Department of Health and Social Care established the Procurement Transformation Programme (PTP) to deliver a new NHS Supply Chain.

The new NHS Supply Chain was designed to help the NHS deliver clinically assured, quality products at the best value, through a range of specialist buying functions. Its aim is to leverage the buying power of the NHS to negotiate the best deals from suppliers and deliver savings of £2.4 billion back into NHS frontline services by the end of the financial year 2022/23.

The new model consists of eleven specialist buying functions, known as Category Towers, delivering clinical consumables, capital medical equipment and non-medical products such as food and office solutions. Two enabling services for logistics and supporting technology and transactional services which underpin the model.

Key benefits the NHS Supply Chain will bring NHS trusts and suppliers include:

NHS trusts

• Savings channelled back to frontline services
• Releasing more time for core clinical activities
• Greater NHS clinical involvement in purchasing decision
• More effective introduction of new products.

Suppliers

• Lowering sales and marketing costs
• Single route into the national market
• A joined-up approach across the NHS
• Clear route for innovative products.

On 1 April 2018, a new commercially astute management function of the new NHS Supply Chain called Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL) went ‘live’. The management function is responsible in driving strong commercial capability, providing a relentless approach to creating value, gain competitive advantage, become the strategic procurement partner of choice for the NHS, manage the delivery and performance of the Category Tower Service Providers and its enabling logistics and technology services whilst overseeing continuous improvement. SCCL is a limited company, wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, SCCL is part of the NHS family. The management function is responsible for driving commercial objectives, managing the category towers and enabling services whilst overseeing continuous improvement.