We are delighted to share the news that our collaborative endeavour with the North Midlands and Black Country Procurement Group (NMBC) has earned us a finalist spot in the Collaborative Procurement Initiative Award 22/23 category at the prestigious UK National GO Awards. This is the second category we’ve been shortlisted for at the GO Awards 2023, marking a significant achievement for NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML). 

These awards honour the accomplishments and commitment of organisations and individuals in delivering exemplary public sector services across the UK, spanning the public, private, and third sectors. 

NMBC, which we have been closely collaborating with since late 2022, has been recognised for its steadfast commitment to strategic healthcare procurement services. The group is an amalgamation of prominent organisations, including University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust (NSCHC), the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), NHS ML, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT), Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (WHT), and the RWT hosted Black Country Pathology Services (BCPS). 

This nomination stands as a significant milestone in NHS ML’s journey. As commissioning responsibility transitioned from CCG/ICB level to system partners, we collaborated closely with UHNM to provide strategic healthcare procurement services. Today, we are an esteemed member of the rebranded NMBC Procurement Group, sharing our best procurement practices with colleagues across the region.

Our collaborative dedication has led to the successful delivery of complex procurement processes for Midlands mental health trusts. This nomination attests to the critical nature of our work in the healthcare procurement sector. It reaffirms the impactful contributions NHS ML and our NMBC partners have made towards enhancing public sector service delivery.

Commenting on the team’s achievement, Bev Thomas, Head of Procurement & Corporate Services said: “As we continue to push the boundaries of excellence, this recognition fuels our motivation and reinforces our commitment to working collaboratively with system partners. We are proud to be a collaborative partner of the North Midlands and Black Country Procurement Group. We are immensely proud of our achievements and unwavering in our commitment to further enhancing healthcare procurement in the UK.”