How to do business with us

Procurement

Procurement services are provided to the Trust on a collaborative basis by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Procurement aims to achieve the best value for money for the resources we have. They procure fit for purpose goods and services for the Trust.

Procurement offers guidance, advice and support on all aspects of procurement to all the Trust's wards and departments. The department aims to ensure that all procurement complies with the Trust's rules and national and European law. The department reviews and monitors contracts and purchase orders placed for the procurement of goods and services.

We continuously seek to improve the procurement process to obtain best value from the contracts we enter into. We aim to minimise the administration costs of buying. The Trust currently spends in excess of £30 million on non-pay expenditure.

You do not have a contract with the Trust unless you have an official purchase order or contract issued by the procurement department.

Suppliers and contractors

The Due North system, ProContract, is the system of choice for the Trust's tendering opportunities. If you are not registered, you may not be able to view these. ProContract increases the transparency, clarity and speed of the tendering process.

• Registration is free and the supplier registration can be completed online.
• Existing tender opportunities can be found on the opportunities portal.

Visit the Due North website.

Company representatives

The Trust works closely with its suppliers to deliver high quality healthcare services. The Trust expects its employees and suppliers to comply with the following "golden rules".

The Trust procurement department is the first point of contact both for current, new and potential suppliers. All supplier or company staff whilst on site must wear an ID badge with their name and company clearly visible. Trust staff should seek advice and support from the procurement department where there are issues/queries. "Cold calling" or visiting wards or departments without permission or an appointment is prohibited.

Orders for goods or services must not be solicited from Trust staff. The only recognised documentation is an official purchase order or contract issued by the procurement department. Price or commercial discussions can only be conducted in conjunction with the procurement department. Trust staff must not be offered samples of products unless by prior agreement with the procurement department. Business gifts (other than items of a very small intrinsic value such as diaries or calendars) must not be offered and will not be accepted. Items of medical equipment loaned to the Trust will be subject at all times to our clinical engineering department management procedures including indemnity arrangements. We ensure professionalism and courtesy are shown and reciprocated at all times.

Trust standing orders

For a copy of the Trust's standing orders, see the Trust's corporate governance framework. This lays down the tendering procedures, both internally and externally.

Prompt Payment Code

We have formally adopted the principles of the Prompt Payment Code. This was developed by the Institute of Credit Management. Read the full details of the Prompt payment code.

Invoice and invoice submission

Find out more about invoicing and payments.