Become a Supplier
NHS Supply Chain brings certain benefits to suppliers that no other route to market can provide.
We deliver the following to our suppliers:
- Reduced point of sales, a single route to market for suppliers instead of ‘knocking on more than 250 NHS trust doors’. This is a key benefit for SMEs in particular.
- Specialist procurement conversations with suppliers. Our category teams have buying teams which have specialist knowledge of their product areas.
- Regional distribution centres with thousands of stocked lines, providing increased supply chain resilience.
- Suppliers are involved in the development of category and sourcing strategies, which are approved by our cross functional teams.
- A dedicated Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) team, who engage regularly with suppliers, both in face-to-face meetings and at a variety of national and regional events.
- A clearer route for innovative products into the healthcare supply chain, through better links with and collaboration with national programmes, such as the National Wound Care Strategy.
We deliver the following for our customers:
- Individual ICS Managers (formerly known as Customer Relationship Managers) for each trust to assist identifying where product savings are available.
- Consolidated deliveries of Stocked items picked and packed for individual wards or departments.
- Consolidated weekly invoicing for trusts.
- Commitment to sustainability with the aim of helping the NHS reach ‘net zero’.
- NHS Supply Chain: Logistics is included for all suppliers.
See our Useful Links section for detailed information about the contract and tender process that we follow.
Want to join our supply chain? Here’s what to do and why
As a prospective supplier, in the first instance you should self-serve where possible to assess which product areas are most appropriate to you.
There are a number of actions you should take to learn more about us before you engage with the category buyer or manager for the most relevant product area(s).
See our Useful Links section to access some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) by prospective new suppliers.
Review our category pages
Our procurement categories – a supply chain covering a wide range of products or services supplied to the NHS.
Review our contract pages
Read all of the latest information about our awarded contracts (frameworks).
View our Procurement Calendar
An overview of scheduled and planned procurement and contract launch activity.
Read about Medical Technology Innovation DPS
Guidance for suppliers making submissions through the Medical Technology Innovation Dynamic Purchasing System.
View our upcoming events
Here you can find information about forthcoming events, details about past events and supporting information.
Read our Supplier Newsletter
This regular newsletter includes interesting articles, updates, supplier experiences and useful information.