Suppliers play a crucial role in helping us deliver the best possible emergency care across the North East
We procure a wide range of goods and services and it’s our responsibility to ensure that the public money we receive is used as cost-effectively as possible.
What we buy
As well as providing for our frontline services, we also purchase services and products for our support teams.
The main areas we spend on are:
- Medical equipment, including defibrillators and medical consumables
- IT, including software and communications technology
- Fleet and logistics, including repairs and fuel
- Professional services, including insurance and recruitment.
Our procurement strategy
Our procurement team oversees the purchasing of services and materials and is responsible for making sure the right quantity is delivered on time, and that it’s of the required quality.
Suppliers should be aware of the Suppliers’ Code of Practice, issued by the Counter Fraud Authority, which outlines our expectations of suppliers to the NHS.
How to become a supplier
As a public sector organisation, we’re required to advertise and obtain quotes in a fair and transparent way.
When any new tenders are open or any contracts are due for renewal, information will be posted on the following websites:
To be notified of any new opportunities, we’d recommend registering with these websites.
Terms and conditions
We follow the NHS terms and conditions for the provision of goods and services which form the basis of our contracts unless agreed otherwise in writing.
Tips for responding to tenders:
Completing a tender document may seem daunting, but don’t be put off. Follow these simple steps to give your bid the best chance of success:
- Read the information for providers and the specification carefully, and always ask clarification questions.
- Always answer in full. We can only evaluate what you’ve written down, so don’t assume anything is obvious.
- Stay focused on the questions and keep everything relevant to the tender – try to avoid getting side-tracked.
- Be clear on your pricing model. State any assumptions and provide full costings.
- Check that you’ve signed everything. Bids that aren’t fully signed may be rejected.