Businesses offered the chance to put their questions to NHS procurement experts at “Ask the Buyer” event

Businesses eager to get their innovation into the health and care sector will be able to put their questions to NHS Buyers and Local Authorities in the North West as the “Ask the Buyer” event returns.

Following a successful event in 2018, the Innovation Agency, in partnership with Health Innovation Manchester, will be hosting the free event again on Wednesday 23 January 2019 at Alderley Park Conference Centre, Cheshire.

Businesses within Cheshire, Warrington and Greater Manchester are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to connect directly with the people within the NHS and Local Government who are responsible for purchasing goods and services in the North West. 

Businesses will be able to hear from Health Innovation Manchester’s Chief Executive Ben Bridgewater about driving industry-led innovation and ask a panel of senior NHS buyers questions about how to get services and supplies into the NHS. 

Panel members include Peter Schofield, Procurement Programme Manager at the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), Neil Hind, Procurement Lead, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, and Sue Mason, Clinical Procurement Adviser at NHS Shared Business Services.

The panel will also include the Deputy Director of Primary Care at Bury CCG as well as heads of procurement from Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Colin Cram, who worked in the public sector for more than 40 years and set up several centralised procurement and contracting organisations, will offer his expertise alongside Nick Allen, Health Innovation Manchester’s Industry Procurement Adviser. 

Information will also be available as to the support Health Innovation Manchester, the agency responsible for driving proven innovation into Greater Manchester’s health and social care services at pace, can offer to businesses who wish to trade with the NHS.

Daniel Zamora, Commercial Programme Manager at Health Innovation Manchester, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for businesses across the region to meet and question NHS buyers and provides a unique and valuable insight into NHS procurement. Businesses will have a valuable opportunity to gain advice and guidance on the supply of goods and services to the NHS, including an insight into purchasing and tendering in the NHS, and the process for becoming an NHS supplier.  
“Businesses across the region are some of the most innovative in the country, and we want to work with them to improve services for our citizens.”

The event is aimed at businesses who develop or manufacture products or services that would be able to be used within the NHS. There will also be the opportunity to find out how other businesses have been able to work with the NHS to provide products and services.  This will enable businesses to understand the challenges and overcome the barriers that companies can face when trying to engage with the NHS.

Places are limited. To reserve your free place and to find out more visit  https://healthinnovationmanchester.com/events/ask-the-buyer-nhs-and-public-sector/ 

The event is being held at Alderley Park Conference Centre, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, on Wednesday 23 January 2019, 9:30 -14:00.