Medical Pulp
Type: NCP Start Date: 2 June 2025
Expiry Date: 1 June 2027
Since 2018 this product category has been through several NCP procurement exercises which to date have delivered significant national savings. A further procurement exercise to renew the Medical Pulp NCP based on a sole supply award, has achieved a further national savings opportunity of 21.76% (£1,645,096 including VAT)* for the NHS.
Supply chain resilience is essential and the awarded supplier, Moulded Fibre Products Limited (MFP) has provided assurance of its capability to fulfil national volume requirements. MFP has proposed five to six weeks stockholding, this is in addition to our own stockholding of one to two weeks. It has four manufacturing locations for the supply of this contract, two within the UK and two in Europe. Stockholding measures have been written into the Call Off Contract and will be audited during contract management.
| Category Framework NCP Name | Facilities and Office Solutions Medical Pulp, Macerators and Support Products NCP4 Medical Pulp |
| Sub category | Bedpan Liner 2 Litre Bedpan Slipper 2 Litre Bedpan Slipper 1.3 Litre General Purpose Bowl 1 Litre Kidney Dish Measuring Jug 1 Litre Pulp Tray – Size Medium Pulp Tray – Size Large Pulp Multi Cup (previously Urine Sampling Cup) – 300ml |
| Winning supplier(s) | Moulded Fibre Products Limited |
| National savings opportunity | 21.76% (£1,645,096 including VAT)* |
| Date trusts will receive Trust Impact Statements – highlighting the national savings opportunity | From 22 April 2025 |
| Start date | 2 June 2025 |
| Length of commitment | 24 months with the option to extend up to 24 months |
| Catalogue codes to be delisted | Seven product codes will be delisted |
| Is the product currently in use in the NHS? | Yes |
| What is the current NHS Supply Chain market share? | 98% |
| What is the expected growth on market share? | There is no anticipated growth in market share |
NCP supplier impact
- Moulded Fibre Products Limited (MFP) is the successfully awarded sole supplier for this NCP (see above detail). MFP is an incumbent supplier from the previous iteration of the Medical Pulp NCP3. However, five products were unsuccessful in being renewed for this latest iteration (Medical Pulp NCP4) and will be removed (delisted) from the online catalogue for a minimum period of 24 months. Two sizes of trays will also be removed further to some standardisation in the sizing. Seven products in total will be delisted) One new product will be added to our online catalogue.
- The supplier Polyco Healthline Limited was unsuccessful in retendering for the NCP and its products will be removed (delisted) from the online catalogue for a minimum period of 24 months.
Next steps
- Trust Impact Statements will be available from 22 April 2025.
- An ICN containing the full list of NPCs impacted by this change and list of the new NPCs will be available shortly.
*Anticipated annualised savings figures are calculated following conclusion of the award process using the last 12 months volumes. Please note these are subject to change after Trust Impact Statements are produced due to further pricing reconciliation. For further details please contact your NHS Supply Chain ICS Manager.
About the products
The products within this NCP include maceratable toileting products, receptacles and pulp trays. Customers should ensure they consult relevant departments, such as infection control, if required before using. There are nine products available:
FSE85002
Medical pulp bedpan liner 2 litre capacity
FSE297
Pulp bedpan liner 2 litre capacity (maxi slipper)
FSE298
Pulp bedpan liner 1.3 litre capacity (maxi slipper)
FSL85003
Pulp bowl general purpose 1 Litre capacity
FSX107
Pulp multi cup (previously urine sampling cup) 300ml capacity
FTA85002
Pulp kidney dish 700ml capacity
FTL037
Pulp measuring jug 1 litre capacity
FWK85004
Pulp tray 181 x 137 x 20mm medium size
FBF85185
Tray 225 x 135 x 20mm large size
All products are the same shape and size as the products on the previous NCP. Where products are used with a slipper pan or support the new products will fit.
We have standardised on the current four sizes of Medical Pulp trays. This follows customer engagement at pre tender stage of the NCP4 contract where it was decided to standardise the range of trays from four sizes down to two sizes. These will be the medium and large trays.
The volume of sales on small and extra large was small and the customer engagement to make this adjustment was overall positive.
Should trusts wish to obtain samples contact your NHS Supply Chain ICS Manager who can arrange for samples to be sent.
See our Downloads ▼ section for the full product listing, including pricing.
Frequently asked questions
All pulp products in scope were reviewed by customers (with the exception of pulp trays). Trusts ran trials using the products in a ward-based setting or conducted a tabletop review.
The trusts that supported these trials were:
· Birmingham University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
· Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
· Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
· Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
· Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
· University Hospital Plymouth NHS Foundation Trust
· University Southampton NHS Trust
Wrightington, Wigan, and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the Lead Reference Trust for the Medical Pulp framework.
The following supplier was successful in this NCP exercise:
· Moulded Fibre Products Limited.
The following suppliers are being delisted:
· Polyco Healthline Limited
· Vernacare Limited.
Five Polyco Healthline Limited products were unsuccessful in being renewed for this NCP and will be removed (delisted) from the online catalogue for a minimum period of 24 months. These products will be delisted from the online catalogue from 2 June 2025. Where these products are to be replaced by Moulded Fibre Products Limited, Vernacare stock will continue to be made available up until the replacement date, 2 June 2025.
We will also delist two Moulded Fibre Products Limited Medical Pulp Trays sizes Small and Extra Large due to standardisation of sizing (customers have been engaged with pre tender)
See our Downloads ▼ section for a full list of all new and delisted products.
The stock will be available in all depots nationally. See our Downloads section to view further information.
Trusts will not be able to choose which product they purchase. Trusts will be supplied with Moulded Fibre Products Limited pulp products only.
If stock within the supplying depot is unavailable, then orders will be fulfilled from another depot in the network.
There will be one new NPC codes. This will be for the large size pulp tray. See our Downloads section to view further information.
Updates to favourites lists, standing orders and eDC requirements should be carried out by the trust in line with your normal procedures.
The NCP procurement process includes a range of due diligence activities to ensure there is supply chain resilience and sustainable continuity of supply to NHS customers. Both NHS Supply Chain and the suppliers have increased stock holding and, in the event of any supply issue, direct alternatives will be supplied, at point of order, at no extra cost to the trust.
In the first instance please contact your Customer Services Advisor.
Benchmarking prices using NHS England’s national price benchmarking tool, Spend Comparison Service (SCS), will highlight where a trust may be paying a cheaper local price. We would ask you to please notify NHS England and your NHS Supply Chain ICS Manager of these instances in order that the situation can be addressed.
Support will be available from your NHS Supply Chain ICS Manager, and the successful suppliers can provide you with product training and information if required. Information is also available via our Clinical Nurse Advisors.
See our Useful Links section for more information.
Medical Pulp is made from either or a mixture of over issued newspaper and kraft cardboard which has already been recycled several times from virgin pulp. As Medical Pulp, the raw material reaches end of life once it is macerated and disposed of. This category is a strong example of materials being used sustainably. There are no single use plastics in this category
Please visit www.supplychain.nhs.uk/ncp for the latest information about NCP.
You can also contact your ICS Manager or Customer Services Advisor.
See our Useful Links section for more information.
Links section
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Hospital Care Team
Contact details for our Hospital Care team (ICS Managers - previously known as Customer Relationship Managers).
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Medical Pulp, Macerators and Support Products
The framework agreement for Medical Pulp.
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Nationally Contracted Products
See all of the products in this initiative.
Download our publications ▼
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Product Listing and Delisted Products
An Excel spreadsheet detailing the full product listing and the delisted products and alternatives on the NCP.