Background: 

The South West London Acute Provider Collaborative is a partnership between four acute NHS trusts in South West London: St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, and Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The collaborative aims to improve clinical outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare services.

Prior to performing the work presented in this case study, HealthTrust Europe worked with the South West London Acute Provider Collaborative on two engagements:

 1^st Engagement: Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals:

• Both facilities were interested in orthotics services.

2^nd  Engagement: Onboarding Croydon University Hospital Contract:

• Impressed by HealthTrust Europe’s performance, the Category Lead requested similar support for Croydon University Hospital, whereby HealthTrust Europe facilitated a call-off contract for orthotics services at Croydon University Hospital, aligning with the patient mobility framework.

Sourcing Activity Support and Results:

• HealthTrust Europe’s comprehensive approach included engaging vendors, managing all aspects of contract negotiations, including back-and-forth communication, drafting, and finalising terms.
• HealthTrust Europe facilitated final agreement and obtained contract signatures from all stakeholders.
• HealthTrust Europe ensured contract compliance and efficient contract management.
• This streamlined process eased the contact person’s burden, allowing them to focus on strategic priorities.

Situation: 

HealthTrust Europe’s successful management of the initial contracts built a strong foundation of trust and strategic relations with the South West London Acute Provider Collaborative. In early 2023, HealthTrust Europe began collaborating with St George’s University Hospital NHS Trust, a large healthcare facility with an extensive Prosthetics and Orthotics service. The Trust specialises in complex rehabilitation problems for patients with musculoskeletal, degenerative, and/or neuromuscular issues. The Trust has been named a Veteran Aware Trust, demonstrating their commitment to improving NHS care for veterans, reservists, members of the armed forces, and their families. The Trust’s Prosthetic profile includes around 4,000 people, 12 of whom are veterans, and their Orthotic profile includes around 22,000 people.

Task: 

The Category Lead for Diagnostics, Women’s, Children’s, and Therapies approached HealthTrust Europe to establish a compliant contract under Patient Mobility framework agreement. The primary objective was to enable the customer to operate a self-sufficient and effective service. HealthTrust Europe focused on streamlining the sourcing process to ensure a contract that delivered cost-effectiveness, adherence to regulations and maximises the mobility, independence and quality of life of service users.

Sourcing Activity Support: St George’s Mini Competition:

• HealthTrust Europe conducted a full mini competition, aiming to secure a single provider of orthotics, prosthetics, and specialised seating services to be delivered at Queen Mary’s Hospitals in Roehampton.
• HealthTrust Europe assisted the Trust in developing a specification that was fit for purpose to rectify scope creep in the existing contract.
• HealthTrust Europe supported the Trust in tender pack preparation including qualitative and commercial assessment models and Tender guidance drafting.
• The competition was hosted on HealthTrust Europe’s e-sourcing tool, Jaggaer, where HealthTrust Europe managed clarifications questions raised by potential suppliers.
• HealthTrust Europe supported the Trust with the evaluation including written responses, commercial assessment and presentation days.
• Following evaluation, HealthTrust Europe compiled an award recommendation report to assist the Trust in obtaining Board approvals to award.
• Upon approval, HealthTrust Europe drafted final contracts and completed other administrative tasks efficiently, attended implementation meetings, where we empowered the customer to manage their responsibilities autonomously and focus on critical areas of the new service.

Result:

• St George’s influenceable service costs were reduced from £4.2m to £3.7m per year, achieving savings of 11.32% per annum. HealthTrust Europe’s collaboration with St George’s demonstrated their commitment to effective sourcing and contract management.
• Social value was a key consideration, with a minimum 10% weighting applied (as mandated by NHSE).
• The smooth facilitation of streamlined processes allowed the Category Lead to navigate and resolve complex and challenging negotiations, leading to a positive outcome.
• HealthTrust Europe ensured the accuracy of data and figures by quality-checking the information provided by the incumbent supplier.
• The successful completion of the Mini Competition and the savings achieved marked another milestone in our partnership.

The Category Lead for Diagnostics, Women’s, Children’s, and Therapies said:

“The results of the Prosthetics and Orthotics tender speak for themselves with significant savings and a new streamlined service. Throughout the procurement process, HealthTrust Europe demonstrated professionalism and expertise and have continued in their support during post-award negotiations. We would not have achieved as much as we have without HealthTrust Europe, and I offer my personal thanks to the team.”