Collaboration, and the development of, sustainability across frameworks raises the profile and awareness of the increasing need to include climate considerations in modern procurement practices. This includes how circularity can support the resilience of NHS Scotland and supply chains, and how the reduction in breadth and range of procured items enhances sustainability and overall resilience.
In addition, implementing sustainability can result in patient benefits and systemic financial savings reflecting the ‘triple bottom line’ model. To further benefit and evolve evaluation, there is a need for Life Cycle Cost (LCC) to be embedded and considered in respect of direct and indirect costs under frameworks. Inclusion of these costs may refocus award decisions and positively impact NHS Scotland performance, environmental factors and the strategic direction of public sector procurement.
There has been a positive response from suppliers, industry and markets to this structured approach on sustainability, with the potential to drive market change.
Communication and collaboration is key. To evolve and upskill the marketplace it is important that we collaborate within the industry and partners to align on mutual targets and goals. Establishing ambitions, understanding appetite and an awareness of capacity and capability to support these is essential.
Suppliers working in these industries are increasingly likely to be able to demonstrate their awareness and adherence to emerging improvements and technologies specific to the commodities that they are marketing. Consultation with suppliers will inform and support development in this approach. For example, where themes arise that may be suitable for wider inclusion these can be put through market consultation to inform policy.
This targeted approach supports a focus on emerging market risks and priorities, whilst providing an iterative process which can be refined and incorporated into other future tenders.
National Procurement works on behalf of, and collaborates closely with NHS Scotland Boards, as well as other public bodies and partners. This includes the provision of guidance, with a centralised viewpoint, with potential adoption of the same methodology of approach applied to local procurement practice.
Opportunities to develop this across NHS Scotland also include passive education through Commodity Advisory Panels and relevant Short Life Working Groups. This engagement helps to ensure visibility of this approach on a national and local basis, enhancing positive engagement and response, whilst driving adoption through demonstration of how this approach can support Boards.
Opportunities potentially exist for other public bodies to apply a similar approach, collaborating on practices and sustainability questions with National Procurement.
It is also important to keep the approach under review, identifying any challenges, further opportunities and outcomes delivered.
This approach has utilised the Sustainable Procurement Tools and guidance that are available, tailored to suit the focus and aims of the strategy. The more these Tools are used the more familiar users become. There is further potential to align questions with prevalent risk areas as identified in the sustainability test within the Tools, ensuring that there is end to end support for procurement staff.
