NHS Supply Chain: Food Appoints New Distribution Partner

NHS Supply Chain: Food, the organisation responsible for the sourcing and supply of food for NHS trusts across England, has appointed Bidfood as its new distribution partner for the multi-temperature framework. The contract will run for two years, with the option to extend for a further two years.

The partnership between NHS Supply Chain: Food and Bidfood creates a national route to market for all NHS Supply Chain food deliveries, with fresh, chilled, frozen and ambient products to be transported on specialist multi-temperature lorries.

Rona Miranda, Account Director, NHS Supply Chain: Food, said: “The appointment of Bidfood as our distribution partner represents a transformational change for NHS Supply Chain and the NHS as a whole. This deal means NHS trusts will be able to order all of their food products from one approved portal and have them delivered via one approved supplier, supporting the very essence of the NHS Supply Chain Operating Model. Our new national route to market enables the consolidation of all food categories to provide greater levels of transparency, pricing standardisation, efficiencies and of course, savings.”

Currently, NHS Supply Chain’s network is set up to deliver ambient products only, meaning other products have to be ordered through alternative frameworks and delivered separately.

The NHS claims this new national route to market will also mean it is better positioned to contract directly with growers, producers and manufacturers. “This makes it possible for small and medium sized suppliers to deliver their products into the new food logistics partner for onward delivery to NHS trusts across the country.” it said.

Ordering with the new multi-temperature food distribution partner is due to commence in Spring 2020. Over 40 NHS Trusts will go live as part of phase one before the new model becomes available for all NHS trusts.

The appointment follows an extensive Public Contract Regulations 2015 procurement process where applicants were assessed on a range of criteria such as their financial stability, technical compliance and fleet specifications.