Everyday Healthcare Furniture: Helping Shape the New Core Range
In procurement, choice can feel like both a benefit and a burden.
Too many product options often lead to longer decision-making, inconsistent purchasing, and missed opportunities for value. That’s why many NHS trusts have already experienced the benefits of core ranges—carefully selected, value-focused product lists designed to deliver efficiency without compromising on quality.
What is a core range?
A core range is a simplified, recommended selection of products that:
- are clinically or operationally appropriate
- offer proven best value
- are available through existing procurement routes
- are shaped by customer feedback and practical insight
It’s not about limiting choice, but about providing clarity—making routine purchasing quicker, more consistent, and easier to manage.
We’ve seen this approach work well in other areas, including within our Desktop Stationery framework, where trusts have benefited from smoother ordering processes, improved stock control, and significant savings. Some trusts achieved over 40% savings when the core range first launched, with further efficiencies being delivered since—demonstrating the value of a focused, customer-informed product list in practice.
Building on this success, and following positive feedback during the recent tender process, we are now in the early stages of developing a core range of products for ward and residential furniture; Lot 2 of the Medical and Healthcare Furniture framework. This will focus on high-usage, repeat-purchase items where standardisation has the greatest potential to make buying easier, reduce duplication, and offer better value across the NHS. Initial product areas being considered include commonly ordered items such as bedside cabinets, patient chairs, overbed tables, and visitor seating — products where there is already significant crossover in specifications and operational use across trusts.
“We’re already seeing certain furniture products cropping up as regular, repeat purchases—often with similar specifications and common use across different trusts. That’s where we see a real opportunity to simplify things, cut out duplication, and deliver better value back into the NHS. But we also know every trust operates differently, which is why your feedback will be crucial in shaping a core range that genuinely works in practice.”
Rebecca Crooks, Category Specialist – Medical Healthcare Furniture
To ensure the scope and design of this range is built around the day-to-day needs of NHS teams, we’re are currently developing a short survey to gather your views. From purchasing priorities to range requirements and practical considerations around ordering and delivery—this is your opportunity to help shape how the core range is developed.
In the meantime, if you’d like to share your thoughts or to register an interest in being involved in the project, you can contact our team at: facilitiesandofficesolutionssupport@supplychain.nhs.uk