NCP FAQs Single Use Blood Lancets
1. What is the aim of Nationally Contracted Products (NCP) and how are the products chosen?
Lancets:
- Range optimisation selected due to similarity in products
- Multiple duplications across the category
- Range review of Finger (21,23,28g) and Heel Lancets (Newborn and Premature).
Aim:
- Simplify variation of products
- Offer product choice.
2. Which products have been included in this NCP?
Single Use Blood Lancets; Finger – 21, 23, 28g only and Heel – Newborn and Premature only.
A full list of all new and delisted products is available on the NCP Single Use Blood Lancets web page.
3. Which suppliers were successful?
The following suppliers were successful in this NCP exercise:
Finger:
- Cambridge Sensors Ltd
- GS Medical Healthcare
- Owen Mumford Limited.
Heel:
- Becton Dickinson UK Ltd
- Cambridge Sensors Ltd
- GBUK Enteral
- GS Medical Healthcare
- Henry Schein Medical.
4. Are any suppliers having products delisted?
Products of the following suppliers are being delisted:
- Beacon Healthcare Ltd
- Becton Dickinson UK Ltd
- Central Medical Supplies Ltd (Cms)
- Glucorx Ltd
- Greiner Bio-One Ltd
- Henry Schein Medical
- Home Health (UK) Ltd
- Medline Industries Ltd
- Owen Mumford Limited
- Prospect Diagnostics Ltd
- Radiometer Ltd
- Roche Diagnostics Ltd
- Sarstedt Limited
- Smiths Medical International Ltd
- Spirit Healthcare Limited
- Vital Care
- Werfen Limited.
5. Will all products be stocked in all depots?
All products will available nationally. The stocking of products at specific depots will be determined by the level of demand.
6. Can trusts choose which product to purchase?
Trusts will be able to choose which product they purchase. Demand capture forms will need submitting via your NHS Supply Chain Customer Relationship Manager.
There are 3 product choices for Finger Lancets and 5 product choices for Heel Lancets. Once you’ve reviewed the product listing advise your Clinical Nurse Advisor on which NCP Examples you wish to look at.
Once the NCP Example(s) have been delivered and feedback collated within your trust, please complete the Demand Capture Form and return to your Customer Relationship Manager.
7. What happens if the depot that services my trust is out of stock of the allocated product?
If stock within the supplying depot is unavailable, then orders will be fulfilled from another depot in the network.
8. Are the NPC codes changing?
Yes, as part of the new Framework Launch, GBUK Healthcare who will be the new distributor of Octaheel, have advised us that there will be a change in design on both the Heel Lancets, Newborn and Premature type. Please see ICN 1178 for further details.
9. Do I need to make any system changes to update standing orders and favourite lists?
Updates to favourites lists, standing orders and eDC requirements should be carried out by the trust in line with your normal procedures.
10. What supply chain resilience can you guarantee if one of the suppliers has a supply issue?
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.
11. What will happen if I choose to order directly from the supplier?
NHS England/Improvement has been engaging with trusts directly over the expectation that they will support this national programme.
Support from trusts to achieve the volume savings for all partners.
12. Is there a risk that existing products will be delisted too soon?
Delisted stock lines will be listed as “available whilst stock lasts”. Any outstanding stock will still be available until stock has been depleted.
You can continue to utilise your stocks of the current lines until these have also been depleted.
13. What should trusts do if there are issues with the product they are allocated?
In the first instance please contact your Customer Services Advisor.
14. What if my trust is currently buying a similar product at a cheaper price?
Benchmarking prices using NHSI’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 NHSE/I and your Customer Relationship Manager of these instances in order that the situation can be addressed.
15. What support will be available to trusts during the implementation/conversion period to minimise the impact on current resources?
Support will be available from your Customer Relationship 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.
16. Where can I find the NCP Customer Report for more detailed information about the products and specifications?
This can be found on the NCP Single Use Blood Lancets web page.
17. Where can I get more information about upcoming NCPs?
Please visit the Nationally Contracted Products web page for the latest information about NCPs.
You can also contact your Customer Relationship Manager or Customer Services Advisor.
See our Useful Links section for more information.