NHS England shifts medical equipment buying away from 'cheapest price'

NHS England shifts medical equipment buying away from 'cheapest price' NHS England is changing how it procures medical equipment, moving away from decisions based solely on the cheapest up-front price for better patient outcomes The NHS has overhauled its approach to buying medical equipment, moving away from decisions driven primarily by the lowest upfront cost and adopting a new value-based procurement (VBP) model that focuses on lifetime value. The approach, now being rolled out across the NHS in England, is designed to weigh factors such as patient outcomes and experience, workforce impact and wider system costs, rather than simply the purchase price of a product. One pilot scheme involving continence products reported reductions in both product usage and leakages, alongside improved staff satisfaction and greater patient confidence, while also lowering the overall cost of care. Hygiene and health company Essity, which makes TENA incontinence products, welcomed the rollout. Richard Maddison, from Essity, said: "For too long, procurement decisions have often been driven by the lowest purchase price rather than the outcomes delivered for patients and the wider healthcare system. "Value-based procurement recognises that the cheapest product is not always the most cost-effective option. "By considering factors such as patient experience, clinical outcomes, workforce impact, and overall system costs, the NHS can make decisions that improve patient outcomes while delivering better value for taxpayers." The shake-up comes as the NHS continues to grapple with mounting demand and persistent financial pressures. Advocates of the new model argue it could help ensure patients receive products that better meet their needs, and reduce complications such as urinary tract infections and skin damage, while supporting mobility and wellbeing and lowering avoidable hospital admissions. Essity revealed that data collected in 2025 showed more than half (53%) of 110 NHS Trusts that responded to its Freedom of Information requests confirmed they were placing caps on the number of continence products supplied to patients. The FOI requests asked Trusts to confirm whether they had introduced limits on products often used to support patients, including after bowel surgery. The firm said 58 Trusts reported having a cap, with 34% of those restricting patients to three products per day and 66% limiting them to four. Approximately 14 million people across the UK live with some degree of urinary incontinence, while the NHS spends an estimated £5.13 billion every year on incontinence-related care. Essity suggested the move towards value-based procurement could help generate savings, with potential cost reductions to the NHS projected at £500 million annually for incontinence products alone. Research commissioned by Essity amongst 500 healthcare professionals revealed that 71% believe patients could become more independent if the quality and fit of continence products were improved. Maddison for Essity said: "Procurement is not simply a purchasing exercise. "The products selected by the NHS can have a profound impact on a person's dignity, confidence, independence, and overall wellbeing. "When patients receive products that are appropriate for their individual needs, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. "We see reduced pressure on healthcare professionals, fewer avoidable complications and admissions, and ultimately better value for the NHS as a whole."