General Wound Care

Procurement completed in line with Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).

Due to condensed timeframes to ensure resilience to our customers and the need to exhaust old stock, a number of new product NPCs will not be available to order at the contract Go Live on 24 June 2026.

Of these products, 21 NPCs are sole transacting products and will be released once the incumbent stock has been depleted and new stock arrives from suppliers.

These products include:

• Plasters
  • EIA85000, EIA85001, EIA85002, EIA85003, EIA85004, EIA85005, EIA85006, EIA85007, EIA85008, EIA85009, EIA85010, EIA85011.
• Cotton wool products
  • ENP85000, ENP85001, ENU85001, ENU85002, ENU85003, ENU85007.
• First Aid Kits
  • EVX85022, EVX85023, EVX85024.

Please see our Downloads ▼ section to view the product listing to see the incumbent lines that should be ordered for each of the above NPCs.

There are 292 brand-new lines to the framework that will be made available once the relevant suppliers confirm that stock is available to order.

We expect minimal customer impact as these products are new to the framework and there is adequate coverage through incumbent lines.

Next Steps: 

Updates will be provided, along with an updated Framework Matrices document update once these lines are made available.

This framework starts on 24 June 2026, runs for 24 months and ends on 23 June 2028. There is an option to extend for an additional 24 months.

There are 28 suppliers, including 12 new suppliers, on the framework offering more choice to customers. See the Suppliers section for a full list of suppliers on this framework.

Areas covered

There are 4 lots on this framework (see Product Categories section for a full list). 

See our Downloads ▼ section for the full product listing on the Framework Matrices.

Resilience

Our increased knowledge of the global manufacturing base following COVID-19 and subsequent global supply challenges means we are better able to identify potential risks and mitigate them by building resilience into our sourcing strategies.

For this framework we are adopting measures including actively encouraging new entrants to the market including increasing the number of transacted suppliers for Medical Swabs along with increasing the number of awarded suppliers in the lots where we are transacting with the first ranked supplier to allow flexibility in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

How to purchase from the framework

Products available via our Stocked and eDirect supply routes can be purchased using our online catalogue or through your own purchase-to-pay system.

Important notice – for stocked products only.

Following the move to Buy Price = Sell Price, new contract / framework prices will only come into effect when stock of all product at the old contract / framework price has been depleted.

Ordering samples

Product samples are available from suppliers on the framework.

Please note that the decision to supply samples, along with the unit of issue, supplied quantity, time to supply and free of charge nature of any request, is solely the decision of the relevant supplier(s).

Requests for samples should initially be discussed with your NHS Supply Chain ICS Manager. They will then work with you and the respective supplier(s) to agree requests and order on your behalf.

Product switching will be available following the start of the framework. If you are interested in further information about product switching, please speak to our Hospital Care team and this will be assessed on a case-by-case scenario due to the generic nature of these products.

See our Useful Links section for your NHS Supply Chain ICS Manager contact details.

The framework has been designed for national price, mini competitions and NPMs are currently not in scope.

Sustainability, net zero and social value are important elements in how NHS Supply Chain build our framework offering through the procurement process, tendering, supplier award and contract management. There are five mandatory requirements for suppliers to address supporting compliance with relevant PPNs and NHS England policy.

• Carbon Reduction Plan (PPN 006)
• Evergreen Assessment 
• Modern Slavery Assessment (PPN 009)
• Social Value (PPN 002)
• NHS England Net Zero Supplier Roadmap and Horizon Scanning.

Awarded suppliers meet the current milestones on the net zero roadmap and have awareness and understanding of future milestones.

Social value

See our Downloads▼ section for further information on suppliers’ social value commitments.

Sustainable opportunities

The following sustainable opportunities are available on this framework:

• Non Sterile Cotton Wool balls have been sourced which have been vacuum packed to allow more products per packet with similar dimensions to previous offerings. This will allow more products to be shipped taking up a similar space:
  • ENU85001 Balls cotton wool absorbent non sterile large minimum of 0.80gm.
  • ENU85002 Balls cotton wool absorbent non sterile small minimum of 0.35gm.

Due to the generic nature of these products, there is little requirement for clinical involvement.

105 products are being delisted. 97 of these have an identified alternative.

See our Downloads ▼ section to view the full list of delisted products and details of the alternatives available.

There are 28 suppliers on this framework. They are:

• Clinisupplies Limited
• Crest Medical Ltd
• Cuxson Gerrard & Company Limited
• Essity UK Ltd
• Evolan Pharma          
• Fenton Pharmaceuticals Limited
• GBUK Ltd
• Gentell UK
• Global Health and Safety Ltd
• Paul Hartmann Ltd
• IMS Euro Ltd
• Fannin UK Ltd
• L&R Medical UK Ltd
• Mediq Healthcare UK Ltd
• Meditrade UK Ltd
• Mediworld Ltd
• MedScience Distribution Ltd
• Molnlycke Health Care Ltd
• Polyco Healthline Limited
• Reliance Medical Ltd
• Rocialle Healthcare Ltd
• Sai Medical Solutions Ltd
• SP Services (UK) Ltd
• Steroplast Healthcare Ltd
• Trion Pharma Limited
• Unisurge International Ltd
• Urgo Limited
• Vernacare International Ltd.

The following suppliers are being delisted at the start of the framework agreement:

• Safeguard Medical Technologies Ltd
• GS Medical Healthcare Ltd.

There is an extensive product list from a wide range of suppliers in the market. 246 new products have been added and these are highlighted in the product listing.

We are working with awarded suppliers to actively expand this offering, with new products being added as they become available. The product listing will be updated to reflect these updates.

There are 4 lots on this framework:

• Lot 1: General Use Bandages
• Lot 2: Body-Fluid Management Products (Medical Swabs)
• Lot 3: First-Aid Kits and Wash Proof Plasters
• Lot 4: Ambulance and Emergency Products.

See our Downloads ▼ section for the full product listing, and details of any delisted lines and details of alternative products in the Framework Matrices.

About the products

General Wound Care products are used by clinicians in both the acute and community sectors to aid in the management of the wound healing process; protect, secure or support parts of the body; used for cleaning, absorbing, and applying pressure.

Choice

• Leading suppliers on contract – providing enhanced range and value from a single source.

More savings

• Pay less – with NHS Supply Chain you have a wider range of product options so you can select the ones that are fit for purpose and value for money.
• Leave your tendering to us – spend less time and money on tendering and let our procurement specialists undertake it on your behalf.
• Back office savings – the efficiency of our service, ranging from e-ordering to consolidated deliveries, enables significant back office savings.

More value

• An integrated approach – the financial benefits of NHS Supply Chain go beyond just product prices. Our approach is an integrated one that reduces cost throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to global logistics, resulting in a much lower total cost.
• Purchasing through our route – when there are changes in the market, we can help minimise the impact of price rises and give support with cost saving initiatives.

Our knowledge and expertise

• Dedicated Acute team and Out of Hospital Care team – your day to day contact for all queries. They will help you identify savings opportunities, solve any issues on your behalf and ensure high service levels are always met.
• NHS Supply Chain Buyers – procurement specialists in their product fields who can give expert advice on new and alternative products.
• Implementation Team – experts in helping you set up the new processes and training required when introducing new products.
• Customer Services Team – with the daily support provided by our dedicated and knowledgeable advisors and service managers you know you are in safe hands.
• Customer Assurance – providing customers with the confidence and assurance of products using a process of clinical evaluation and engagement with clinical users. This ensures all products are clinically assured by the CaPA process, supported by engagement with customers.

Peace of mind

• Dependable deliveries – having access to the know-how and resources of one of the world’s largest logistics companies means we can offer unrivalled dependability and responsiveness when it comes to our delivery services.
• Framework agreement – awarded in accordance with UK procurement legislation.
• Sustainability – Sustainable procurement is embedded into our category management processes to ensure that our suppliers meet requirements for carbon reduction plans, evergreen assessment, modern slavery, social value and NHS England net zero supplier roadmap. Additionally, our logistics partner is certified ISO14001.