Wound Management · UK public procurement notice

Complex wounds impose a substantial health and well-being burden on public health and NHS Wales. As wound care is managed across multiple Health Boards by a range of healthcare professionals with varying levels of expertise, the actual care delivered can vary considerably and result in the underuse of evidence-based interventions, the overuse of interventions supported by limited evidence and low value healthcare.

The pressures on NHS Wales is increasing each year with the growth in diabetes related wounds, an ageing population, and inflationary pressures related to the trading relationship with the EU. Therefore, interest in Value Based Health Care (VBHC) has increased significantly in the NHS and it is very closely associated with the Welsh Government’s ‘Prudent Healthcare’ in Wales initiative.

• Achieve health and wellbeing with the public, patients and professionals as equal partners through co-production.
• Care for those with the greatest health need first, making the most effective use of all skills and resources.
• Do only what is needed, no more, no less; and do no harm.
• Reduce inappropriate variation using evidence-based practices consistently and transparently.

NWSSP Procurement Services, on behalf of NHS Wales manages approximately sixty (60) different categories (Lots) of Wound products including; non-woven gelling fibres, non/low adherent contact layer, activated charcoal dressings, semi-permeable adhesive films with & without absorbent pad, foam dressings, capillary action dressings, skin protection film, skin protection cream, adhesive removers, anti-microbial alginate gel, iodine dressings, honey dressings, silver dressings, PHMB impregnated dressings, hydrophobic bacterial-binding, conforming stretch (Type I) bandages, light support (Type 2) bandages, light compression (Type 3A) bandages, moderate compression (Type 3B) bandages, high compression (Type 3C) bandages, sub compression bandages, and tubular bandages to name a few. There is also the potential to include additional categories for skin washes. Additional information: The Contracting Authority intends to use an eTendering system in this procurement exercise and reserves the right to use a reverse auction.