South East London VCSE Strategic Alliance Event: NHS Procurement Webinar

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On 17th July 2024, the South East London VCSE Strategic Alliance, in collaboration with Bexley Voluntary Service Council, hosted an informative NHS Procurement Webinar. This event aimed to provide valuable insights into the new procurement regulations and their implications for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

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Opening Remarks

Tal Rosenzweig, Director of Voluntary Sector Collaboration and Partnerships for the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS) highlighted the role of the VCSE Strategic Alliance in fostering equitable partnerships between the healthcare system and the voluntary sector across the six boroughs of south east London.

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Keynote Presentation

Deane, Deputy Director of Community Contracts for South East London ICS (Bexley and Greenwich), delivered the main presentation. He provided an overview of the new procurement regulations, focusing on the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) and the upcoming Procurement Act 2023. Dean explained the key changes, including greater transparency requirements, the introduction of new procurement routes, and the emphasis on social value and sustainability.

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Key Themes and Discussions

Several important themes emerged during the webinar:

1. Provider Selection Regime (PSR): Dean outlined the five procurement routes under PSR, including direct awards and competitive processes. He emphasized the importance of transparency and the need for detailed evidence of decision-making processes.
2. Procurement Act 2023: Dean discussed the upcoming changes under the Procurement Act, which will cover non-healthcare contracts. Key changes include the requirement for contracting authorities to publish procurement pipelines, performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), and contract breaches.
3. Support for VCSE Sector: The webinar highlighted the new duty for contracting authorities to consider the participation of VCSE organizations and reduce barriers to their involvement. This includes addressing barriers throughout the contract lifecycle and ensuring realistic tender response times.
4. Transparency and Accountability: The new regulations require greater transparency, including the publication of procurement notices, contract modifications, and performance data. This aims to ensure that procurement processes are fair and open.

Conclusion

The NHS Procurement Webinar provided a comprehensive overview of the new procurement regulations and their implications for the VCSE sector. Attendees left with a better understanding of the changes and how to navigate the new procurement landscape. The event underscored the importance of collaboration and the need for ongoing dialogue between the healthcare system and the voluntary sector to ensure equitable and effective service delivery.

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