St Helens Place - On Demand Availability of Palliative Care Medicines (Pharmacy)

The NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board has successfully completed the procurement process for the "St Helens Place - On Demand Availability of Palliative Care Medicines" service, focusing on health services within Cheshire and Merseyside, specifically in St Helens. This procurement, under the Provider Selection Regime, bypasses the usual Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and aims to ensure continuous access to vital palliative care medicines. The procurement reached the award stage, with the contract commencing on 1st April 2024 and set to expire on 31st March 2025, valued annually at approximately £3,600 though variable based on performance.

The contract was awarded directly through a 'limited' procurement method without prior competition. This tender represents a strategic opportunity for pharmacies aiming to enhance their service scope and secure steady revenues through the health services sector. Successful bidders, such as large-scale suppliers like Aim RX Ltd and smaller enterprises like Bestway National Chemists Ltd, demonstrate that both SMEs and large organisations can thrive by meeting criteria centred on patient choice and cost.

Pharmacies capable of maintaining consistent stock levels and fulfilling contractual obligations based on activity can leverage this opportunity to fortify their presence in the public health service market, contributing towards meeting regional healthcare needs.