Suppliers
EDI action goes beyond the internal operations of an organisation to include external relationships too. NHS Supply Chains are committed to improving diversity, equality and inclusion within the health sector, with many incentives already in place, as well as a five year EDI strategy. This section of the toolkit offers recommendations on how you as an organisation can help to foster and sustain a diverse and inclusive supply chain, whilst being compliant with procurement legislation and internal Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs). It also provides guidance on maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, helping encourage new organisations into the supply chain list, as well as the impact of sustained and positive communications with supply chain partners.
Another consideration is the Framework Agreements developed by the NHS LPP. Suppliers who wish to join the NHS LPP framework have to complete a pre-qualifying questionnaire (PQQ), and await an invitation to tender (ITT).
Working in partnership or collaboration with suppliers who are embedding their own EDI strategies serves to exponentially improve the experiences of your organisation’s employees. Supplies directly contribute to outputs; in the case of the health sector it provides positive connections and provisions for smaller organisations, improving community cohesion, and providing opportunities within the health sector. Find out information.
Encourage local minority-owned organisations to apply to be accredited NHS suppliers
Being intentional about EDI means recognising the value that it can bring to every aspect of your organisation, and this includes procurement. The health sector utilises an accredited supply chain list, which can limit reach in relation to supplier diversity and EDI in particular. However, an accredited list can still be utilised to seek out the most diverse suppliers amongst them.
An excellent way of promoting EDI and diversity within the supply chain, is through encouraging diverse suppliers within the local community to apply to be accredited NHS suppliers. Taking a positive step towards diversifying the supply chain, particularly within your local community, helps show that your organisation’s actions align with its words, and you are making a positive contribution to a fairer society.
Take note of the work done by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to encourage diverse suppliers into their accredited lists.
You can start to develop relationships with potential future diverse suppliers by hosting information events on your organisation and how you procure contracts. This can work to ensure that diverse suppliers feel better prepared to submit proposals when opportunities arise. If you are a general practice, one-to-one meetings are a good way of getting to know potential diverse suppliers. Remember to always give feedback to suppliers if they are unsuccessful, to help them learn and grow from the experience.
If you don’t already, you can also ensure there is an easy to follow guide on your website to help potential new suppliers with the supply chain process.
Encourage existing suppliers to improve diversity in their organisations
Committing to supplier diversity does not mean uprooting your existing suppliers and starting again. In fact, having a great relationship with your existing suppliers is likely to place you in a position to encourage and influence them about their own approach to EDI.
Organisations within the health sector must also ensure they are utilising suppliers from the accredited supplier list, which can limit their reach in relation to diversity.
On a practical level, highlighting your commitment to diversity to current suppliers could include:
- Sharing your commitment to improve EDI in your supply chain, focusing on why this is an important objective for your organisation.
- Expressing your desire to continue a working relationship with them.
- Engaging in conversation with your supplier regarding the diversity of their workforce and why EDI is so important to the health sector.
- Encouraging them to be intentional about their approach to EDI, and commit to change where gaps have been identified, reiterating that this is a mainstream policy within your own organisation.
It is helpful to recognise that this may take time; rushing this process could create friction with your supplier, and could lead to ‘tick box’ actions rather than positive, sustainable change. Working with your suppliers to support and refine their approaches to EDI will help to ensure that change happens for the right reasons and that both parties have a clear understanding of the benefits greater diversity will bring.
The GOV.UK Department of Health guide has helpful information on best practice procurement within the NHS.
Restore Digital also provided a white paper on the procurement process within the NHS.
The NHS London Anchors Network can be used to explore your role as an anchor in the local economy to promote increased diversity through your procurement activity.
The East London NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded funding to develop and implement an evaluation framework for social value procurement, with the aim of generating learning and identifying improvements and best practice.
As a statutory body within the healthcare sector, it’s vital to recognise and continuously improve your own reach and influence in terms of how your organisation can lead the way for the industry as a whole. With a generally wide reach, bigger budget, and more resources, larger organisations can help to pave the way for smaller organisations to follow. It helps to create a learning culture, while improving belonging throughout the whole sector.