Medilink Event Offers SMEs Opportunity to Provide Input on NHS Procurement

Last month, the UK Department of Health (DH) issued a call for evidence to gather feedback on how to transform procurement in the National Health Service (NHS). The action is part of an effort to enable the NHS to “adopt existing innovations and stimulate new innovations” by harnessing relationships with suppliers.

Next month, medical and healthcare specialist Medilink will hold an event aimed to support this effort by offering medical manufacturers the opportunity to express their opinions and recommendations. The views and ideas will be presented to the DH. The event will take place on 18 July at the Hotel La Tour in Birmingham.

The event will feature speakers from the DH, NHS supply chain and industry and will include an update on the UK government’s pledge to improve the procurement process. Through plenary sessions, soapbox presentations and roundtable discussions, delegates will identify the barriers to effective NHS procurement and look at what trusts need to do to help SMEs in the supply chain compete for contracts on a level playing field.

The delegate fee is £99 + VAT. This fee includes all conference materials, refreshments and lunch. Learn more and register on Medilink’s website: Call for Evidence: Have your say on NHS Procurement.

Medilink, a national health technology business support organisation, recently launched two new services to help companies identify sales opportunities. It also offers daily tenders and sales leads and the quarterly NHS Procurement Guide, which it produces together with Martyn White Consulting.

Medilink WM’s CEO Tony Davis said: “The Department of Health wish to turn NHS procurement into a world class function. By addressing the concerns of potential NHS suppliers, it hopes to encourage the adoption of innovative products and treatments while improving quality and cost-effectiveness.

“The medical manufacturing sector consists predominantly of small and medium-sized businesses, which are unable to compete against large corporations due to the in-built bias of the public sector’s administrative, risk-averse procurement system. We’ve heard so much from SMEs about what’s wrong with the current system—this is a fantastic chance to suggest some solutions and actually make a difference.”

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