Procurement support
Overview
NHS purchasing is executed through the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) by buying confederations or by individual NHS Trusts. PASA is an executive agency of the Department of Health which works to ensure that the NHS in England makes the most effective use of its resources by getting the best possible value for money when purchasing goods and services. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own health services and supply organisations.
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is responsible for procurement policy on behalf of UK government and works with the DH Commercial Directorate to support improved procurement.
Resources
Terms and Conditions of Contract
PASA publishes a number of standard sets of terms and conditions of contract that can be used by the NHS when undertaking procurement exercises. NHS bodies are advised to keep an electronic copy of the specific dated issue of terms and conditions used in any tendering exercise, both for future reference and to comply with the NHS Records Management Code of Practice.
Standard NHS IT Terms and Conditions are in place which have been agreed with the Department of Health and IT Trade Associations. Use of these standard Terms and Conditions saves time and legal fees in contract negotiation for both the NHS and the Suppliers. Terms and conditions with guidance notes are available for:
- Managed Services
- Systems
- Support Services
- Facilities Management
- Performance of Tasks
- Simple IT contracts
Procurement of Information Systems Effectively (POISE) Version 3.1
The POISE guidance sets out the best practice to be adopted by all NHS bodies when procuring information managementand technology solutions that cannot be effectively procured through existing contract routes.
The following specific guidance is available:
The Government Procurement Service (GPS) Skills Development Directory provides a list oftraining, development and learning opportunities used across government.
Further Information
NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency