News

This year’s NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards will feature Sir James Mackey as keynote speaker. We are proud to be one of the sponsors of such a prestigious event hosted by the NHS Northern Customer Board and the Innovation Agency.

As well as chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Sir James is  Chair of the NHS Customer Board for Procurement and Supply and said:

“I’m delighted to be part of this event to help recognise and celebrate the important role of procurement across the heath and care sector during the difficult times we’ve experienced in the last year. The pandemic has impacted us all in different ways – placing even more importance on a resilient, effective and efficient NHS supply chain.

“In fact these relationships have never been more important as NHS systems start to focus on supporting economic recovery by thinking more carefully about where products are produced or procured from. By working together we will continue learning and helping understanding of the wider value that supply chains play in the health system. This will be a fantastic opportunity to recognise some of the best initiatives of the past year and learn more about how we can all work together more effectively.”

Dr Phil Jennings, Chief Executive of the Innovation Agency, said: “To be able to attract someone of Jim’s calibre to speak at the NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards is an indication of just how important this event is. Patients and staff benefit from collaborations that are also good news for the northern economy. We’re looking forward to a great event where we can recognise a number of successful developments and, in Sir James, hear from someone who knows the NHS and this part of the world intimately.”

Categories in 2021 are:

• Innovation Award – to recognise a company where innovation has been used to improve a product, process or service to transform or enhance patient care and improved efficiency within northern NHS trusts.
• Patient Experience Award – whether based in a hospital or the community, recognition for a supplier who has provided goods or services that have enhanced the patient experience.
• Small Business Award – to mark a small or medium-sized enterprise that has successfully developed a product while also making a significant contribution to the trusts they supply.
• Support Services Award – an award aimed at companies whose work provides support to the NHS to help maintain the quality of service.
• Sustainable Development Award – recognising initiatives that have been developed to minimise the impact on the environment. This could include reduced carbon emissions, packaging or energy.
• NHS Procurement Outstanding Contribution – an opportunity for Heads of Procurement to nominate an individual from their team who displays ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to their organisation.
• NHS Champion in Support of Procurement – an opportunity to nominate a team or individual who has gone the extra mile to work collaboratively with procurement departments.
• NHS Procurement Transformation Award – recognition of a procurement team who have introduced a new innovation project into their trust, resulting in significantly improved patient outcomes and supplier relationships.

The winners of this year’s three NHS categories will go forward to the Health Care Supplies Association awards event in November.

The closing date for nominations is 4 June.

For more information and to enter