Walking Aids Re-use

Description

Introduction Acting on behalf of Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL), a Management Function of NHS Supply Chain, the Collaborative Procurement Partnership LLP (CPP) provides a framework for 'Aids for Daily Living' which runs until 31 October 2023 with work currently ongoing to plan for a replacement framework. A contract notice is to be issued on 1 November 2022. The NHS requires an innovative integrated solution for the provision of high-quality walking aids to support the re-use of these products and is looking to build the re-use of crutches, walking sticks, Zimmer frames, rollators within the NHS Supply Chain framework for 'Aids for Daily Living' NHS Supply Chain and its customers are using this opportunity to fundamentally re-think the requirements and explore alternative delivery models to support the delivery of a Greener NHS. Walking aids are provided on a need's basis by a range of healthcare specialists including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, fracture and orthopaedic clinics, A&E, outpatient departments and diabetic foot clinics. They can also be supplied through community hospitals and social care. Some services are likely to have repeat visits from patients allowing easier return/collection, other clinics such as A&E may not have return visits by patients making collection and return more difficult. Two categories of walking aid users can be distinguished: 1. Long-term users (patients that are given aids and will typically keep them until the equipment or patients no longer needing the item) 2. Short-term users (patients are given aids for example as part of post-surgery, post-accident rehabilitation) Additional information: Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service The NHS 'Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service' report published in October 2020 sets out the NHS approach and targets for achieving a net zero supply chain by 2045. The report identifies the reuse of walking aids as an action to support carbon reduction. This follows on from previous research undertaken for the NHS to identify high carbon intensity product areas to prioritise efforts. Walking aids were identified in the top 20 contributors for medical instruments and equipment for carbon footprint. The report set a minimum target of 40% for the return of walking aids to be met by 2025. NHS England and NHS Improvement produced a 'How to Guide' in 2021 and work has been ongoing with pilot Trusts to identify ways of maximising the return of walking aid products to enable their reuse. Therefore, with an increasing number of NHS organisations developing schemes to meet the minimum target of 40%, the net zero and sustainable procurement team at NHS England and NHS Supply Chain would like to explore how the supply chain for these items can work with trusts to reach their net zero plans. This is an opportunity to find additional solutions to support trusts in delivering their next zero plans and to supplement the How to Guide - equipment re-use (walking aids). The challenges identified by the NHS so far include: - No clarity and incentives for patients to return items, - return locations are not necessarily convenient or readily accessible, - the returns approach is inconsistent, - storage and drop off space in trusts is limited and inconvenient - returns have been impacted by COVID with visits to trusts discouraged outside of appointments a lack understanding of the staff involved in prescribing and recollection of items - internal communication a lack of supporting systems infrastructure- tracking items Supply Chain Engagement CPP is now seeking to consult suppliers on what arrangements or initiatives they either currently operate or could operate to achieve NHS performance targets relating to the return and subsequent reuse of walking aids. This will inform the planning process for the replacement framework for 'Aids for Daily Living'. We are interested in your views on the feasibility of the requirement to reuse walking aids, the capability and capacity of the market to offer solutions to this, now and in the future. We are interested in information and innovation from all parts of the supply chain that could: - Contribute to achieving improvements in one or more aspects of the requirement - Contribute to a new total solution - Provide a total solution - Involve incremental improvements or a step change in the short, medium, and long term. If you are interested in attending our Supplier Event in May 2022, please fill out the RFI questions within the Jaggaer e-tendering portal using the link below. 1. Use URL https://nhssupplychain.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html to access