To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps with (a) NHS Supply Chain and (b) other purchasing managers in (i) the NHS and (ii) social care systems to ensure that their approach to procuring absorbent continence products is (A) value-based and (B) patient-centred.

NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) have a disposable and washable continence care framework in place that suppliers are awarded onto using an evaluation methodology, with each tender evaluated based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). Financial and non-financial evaluations are undertaken independently of each other.

NHSSC conduct significant engagement with colleagues across health and social care to ensure that the customer voice is captured and National Health Service requirements understood. NHSSC engage with suppliers, trade associations, professional bodies and expert reference groups to ensure robust and sustainable frameworks are put in place for the longer term, both commercially and from a supply resilience perspective, whilst meeting the functional and safety needs of customers and patients.

In addition, the Government's new Medical Technology Strategy, published in February 2023, commits to developing an environment that supports the understanding and delivery of value for money and affordability across the whole patient pathway, using high-quality data to ensure that prices are reasonable for both the health system and sustainable for suppliers.

The application and adoption of Value Based Procurement in the NHS is a key priority under the strategy in order to realise the potential of medical technology to improve patient outcomes and support the NHS workforce.