Implementation and Adoption Team: On Tour
Our Implementation and Adoption (I&A) team plays a crucial role in connecting procurement specialists, suppliers, and customers. Their job is to facilitate open discussions, ensuring that our framework agreements provide access to the right products and suppliers while capturing and acting on customer insights.
To guide customers in making the best procurement decisions, the team must have an in depth understanding of the key processes involved. Recently, our I&A team has been on the road, visiting suppliers across a range of framework agreements to get to know their people, products, and processes better. These visits are an essential part of their work, helping them bridge the gap between industry knowledge and customer needs.
First Stop: A Deep Dive into Paper Hygiene
The first visit of this tour took the team to Essity, a key supplier on the Paper Hygiene Framework Agreement. This visit included a comprehensive tour of their production and packaging facility, where the team observed health and safety protocols, met with Essity’s team, and held in-depth discussions about product options available to customers. Understanding the key differences between these options is essential in helping customers make informed choices that suit their specific needs.
Saffron Stockwell, Implementation and Adoption Specialist, commented:
"Being able to see firsthand the manufacturing processes and discuss product variations directly with the supplier adds a new dimension to the guidance we can provide to customers. It’s invaluable in making sure we give them the best possible advice."
Showcasing the Future of NHS Estates and Facilities Uniforms
Later in the month, our project team for the NHS Uniform for Estates and Facilities Professionals attended the MyCleaning and MyPorter awards, organised and hosted by Global View Systems. This event provided a fantastic platform to showcase the proposed uniform range, which is currently in the early stages of stakeholder engagement. The new uniform is designed to complement our existing frameworks for National Ambulance Uniforms and NHS Healthcare Uniforms.
True to the I&A team’s mission of connecting procurement, suppliers, and end users, I&A team members Gaadha and Simon attended to capture invaluable insights from uniform wearers. Their feedback will play a key role in shaping the upcoming range to ensure it meets the practical needs of NHS Estates and Facilities staff.
Beyond the showcase, the event was an emotional experience for the team, as they listened to the stories behind the award nominations.
Emma Morten, Head of Governance and Performance, shared:
"This event reinforced the vital role Estates and Facilities professionals play within the NHS workforce. Some of the stories we heard on the day were incredibly moving. We’re honoured to have been part of this celebration and are looking at ways to further support the event in the future."
A Closer Look at NHS Healthcare Uniform Processing
The team’s most recent visit was to Alsico, one of the two suppliers awarded to the NHS Healthcare Uniform Framework Agreement. This visit was particularly beneficial for I&A team members unfamiliar with the facility, as it provided an opportunity to witness firsthand how uniforms are packed and prepared for delivery to NHS trusts.
The visit also allowed for direct conversations with Alsico’s team about customer feedback and the complexities of processing garments before they reach NHS trusts. In addition, the team explored the newly established storage warehouse, designed specifically to house the NHS Healthcare Uniform.
Greg Houlston, Business Development Director at Alsico Laucuba Ltd, commented:
"Many people don’t realise the level of complexity involved in preparing NHS uniforms for distribution to ensure that the trusts receive the uniforms they need first time, and there is no disruption for the hardworking NHS teams that wear them. Hosting visits like this is a great way to provide key stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the process, and the value that the operation provides across the supply chain. It’s fantastic to see NHS Supply Chain’s eagerness to learn and engage with our operations to better support NHS trusts.”
Ongoing Engagement and Future Visits
These visits are not a one-off exercise—they are part of a continuous effort by the Implementation and Adoption team to gain deeper insights into supplier operations and improve the support we provide to customers.
By stepping into the environments where these essential products are designed, manufactured, and processed, the team is better equipped to translate complex supply chain processes into clear and actionable guidance for NHS customers. This ongoing engagement ensures that our frameworks continue to evolve in line with real-world needs, making procurement smoother and more effective for everyone involved.
With more visits planned in the future, this is just a glimpse into the day-to-day work of our I&A team, who are committed to ensuring that every customer gets the best possible service and support.
If you want to see some pictures and videos from the visits head over to the NOE CPC LinkedIn page.