Collaborative Procurement: Generating Savings, Expertise, and Improved Patient Care

• 24/10/2025
• Written by NOE CPC

Collaborative procurement is helping NHS Trusts achieve more by working together. A recent initiative, led by NOE CPC, saw Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH), Sheffield Children’s (SCH), and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals (DBTH) run a further competition to procure Reusable Sharps and Confidential Waste services under our Total Waste Management II framework.

Why Collaboration Matters

The three Trusts came together to run a further competition for the provision of Reusable Sharps and Confidential Waste services. By working together under NOE CPC’s Total Waste Management Services II framework, the Trusts were able to:

• Align their contracts so future opportunities for wider collaboration can be explored.
• Standardise requirements, making it easier for suppliers to deliver consistent, high-quality services.
• Maximise collective buying power, negotiating better terms than they could have achieved alone.

Benefits Delivered

The collaborative approach delivered multiple advantages:

• Cost Savings, the initiative delivered an overall saving of circa £1 million through joint procurement and competitive pricing.
• Sustainability, as suppliers meet high environmental standards, helping reduce landfill and carbon footprint.
• Improved Service, with clear service expectations resulting in better supplier performance.
• Compliance and Safety, ensuring waste services meet strict regulatory standards.
• Capability and Expertise, as shared knowledge strengthens teams for future projects.
• Stronger Relationships, with collaboration building trust, communication, and a foundation for future joint initiatives.

Richard Somerset, Head of Procurement at Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust adds:

“By working together through NOE CPC, we were able to achieve significant cost savings, improve service quality, and strengthen our teams’ expertise. Collaborative procurement allowed us to deliver safer, more sustainable waste management services for our patients and staff, while building strong relationships for future projects.”

Outcome

This initiative shows the power of further competition under a framework, as the Trusts secured high-quality, compliant services, reduced costs saving circa £1 million in total, and enhanced sustainability, while strengthening skills and relationships across organisations. By working together, NHS Trusts can achieve more than they could individually, improving patient safety, operational efficiency, and long-term value.

If you’d like to learn more about the updated iteration of our Total Waste Management framework, please visit the framework page by clicking here or you can reach out to our support desk at enquiries@noecpc.nhs.uk for further information.