Successes and Outcomes
This strategic planning approach has resulted in several positive outcomes:
- repeatable: it has established a consistent repeatable process
- strategy and continual improvement - the 3-year Commodity Specific Sustainability Strategy aligns with the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy and (2022-2026) NHS Scotland Procurement Strategy (2024 – 2028) - opportunities to reflect this in a Road Map setting out the journey to sustainable supply chains and Net Zero will be explored
- one of the frameworks included within this strategic approach was a high value framework with a duration of 15 years. This framework is the first with a timeline that falls within NHS Scotland’s first Net Zero target, this further strengthened the need to include sustainability considerations within the tender process to ensure mutual alignment to Climate goals
- strategic Sourcing and Commodity Teams - are increasingly engaged with sustainability, building knowledge and skills and seeking support, clarification and guidance
- focussed approach supports accessibility – the bespoke approach to sustainability considerations in tenders has been well received by suppliers, including SMEs. A number of SMEs have excelled in their responses, clearly indicating how their offerings align with the NHS Scotland’s sustainability targets
- sustainability weightings and their impact – these have been included in tenders where they have not been previously, determined on a case-by-case basis to ensure relevance and proportionality to the contract in question
- where they have been included, weightings have been maintained or increased , for example this includes a 40% sustainability weighting in the Examination Gloves framework, which has a significant impact given the quantity purchased annually
- bank of resources - this has resulted in resources, including question sets, tools, web resources and policy guidance to support knowledge sharing and best practise
- catalyst for further opportunities – supplier acceptance of the strategy has led to increased supplier engagement, with innovation and circularity in products being proffered
- As a result of sustainability dialogue within a Commodity Advisory Panel (part of the strategic process), a Short Life Working Group has been established to look at processes to improve and increase circularity with walking aids.
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