The Hub is deeply rooted in the regional procurement landscape. Since 2006, we have been providing creative procurement solutions, strategic purchasing support and specialist knowledge to the NHS in the East of England; locally, system-wide and regionally.
On a national level, we are a partner in the NHS Workforce Alliance, the largest public procurement organisation in the UK, we deliver strategic procurement for all UK ambulance trusts and work in partnership with the other NHS procurement hubs. We have close ties with NHS England, the Central Commercial Function, the Department of Health and Social Care and HCSA, ensuring the NHS in the East of England has a voice on a national level.
As part of the NHS ourselves, our fundamental aim is to deliver value to the NHS whilst improving patient care. Collaboration is key to achieving this.
Working together to benefit the NHS
The Hub has proven experience of fostering partnerships at local, system, regional and national levels. No matter the size or scope of your requirements, the Hub can work collaboratively with you to deliver against immediate needs as well as plan for meaningful, long-term improvements and efficiencies.
Our team of category experts and procurement specialists always have their eye on the horizon. They’re equipped with the skills, in-depth market knowledge and flexibility to deliver innovative solutions to your complex commissioning challenges, both at present and in the future.
We are proud to provide a service offering that supports our NHS colleagues in delivering top quality patient care, drives innovation and promotes the sustainability and social value agenda. From legal advice and detailed market analysis to managing complex multiparter contract awards and service redesign, we provide an end-to-end procurement service that can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
In this time of great demand and pressure, we can work together for the benefit to the NHS and patient care.
Our expertise
Enabling collaboration
The Hub specialises in fostering collaborative partnerships because we know that when we work together, we are best able to serve the NHS. We have extensive experience in bringing together organisations with common requirements and goals to achieve economies of scale, consistent service delivery and improved patient care.
From supporting the evaluation process for collaborative projects to managing complex, multi-partner contracts, we have the skills and expertise to help you with every step towards realising the NHS Long Term Plan’s ambition of Integrated Care.
Understanding customer needs
Our service is shaped by our customers’ needs. When we begin a project, we start by conducting a thorough assessment to understand the aims of the exercise and ensure objectives are met.
Our close relationship with our customers gives us invaluable insight, helping us fully appreciate the local circumstances and challenges you face and make well-informed recommendations. We then work with you at whatever level of involvement is required, from light touch to extensive support, to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions.
Market management
Our category experts have an in-depth understanding of the supply market, the key suppliers and the direction in which the market is going. By working closely with our team of Business Information Analysts, we gain invaluable insight that informs our strategy, allows us to minimise the risk of gaps in service provision and plan for future changes in the market.
We have close relationships with a diverse pool of best-in-market suppliers, ensuring our customers have access to consistent, cost-effective products and services. While we recognise that value is a key driver for the NHS, we also aim to support local economies by working with SMEs and social enterprises.
We are in regular contact with our suppliers so in the rare case that suppliers fail to deliver against their objectives, we are able to identify the issue quickly and work with them towards a resolution to avoid any disruption to our customers.
In-depth category knowledge
We have developed sector-specific category experts so our customers can be confident in our ability to meet their evolving needs. Our category experts work with closely with our Enablement team to turn data into actionable opportunities for efficiencies and improvement.
Drawing on our in-depth market knowledge and relationships with relevant regulatory bodies, we stay up to date on new legislation, developments and technology so we can anticipate your evolving needs and act as your trusted partner on the route to integrated care. In addition to identifying opportunities, our category experts work to anticipate risk in any project we take on by building contingencies that protect service provision in the case of market disruption.