Bidfood has been appointed by NHS Supply Chain: Food as its new distribution partner for a multi-temperature framework. The contract will run for two years, with the option to extend for a further two years.
The contract incorporates fresh, chilled, frozen and ambient products.
Rona Miranda, account director, at NHS Supply Chain: Food, said: “The appointment of Bidfood as our distribution partner represents a transformational change for NHS Supply Chain and the NHS as a whole. This deal means NHS trusts will be able to order all of their food products from one approved portal and have them delivered via one approved supplier, supporting the very essence of the NHS Supply Chain Operating Model.
“Our new national route to market enables the consolidation of all food categories to provide greater levels of transparency, pricing standardisation, efficiencies and of course, savings.”
Currently, NHS Supply Chain’s network is set up to deliver ambient products only, meaning other products have to be ordered through alternative frameworks and delivered separately.
Tim Adams, director of marketing and corporate sales at Bidfood, added: “We’ve worked with NHS Supply Chain for many years and are delighted to build on our strong partnership and play our part in a strategy that will bring significant sustainability benefits and efficiencies. Full consolidation will mean fewer deliveries for hospitals, freeing up more time and resource to direct into the continued delivery of a quality catering service.”
Ordering with Bidfood is due to commence in Spring 2020. Over 40 NHS Trusts will go live as part of phase one before the new model becomes available for all NHS trusts.
By Christopher Walton
