What Is the NHS Supply Chain and How Do You Use It?
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How to Find and Order Products on the NHS Supply Chain
A practical guide for nurses, ODPs and healthcare workers on how to find equipment, check prices and order through your trust.
- What is the NHS Supply Chain?
- How to find products on the catalogue website
- How to view pricing information
- How to follow your trust's ordering process
- When to check with your manager first
What Is the NHS Supply Chain?
The NHS Supply Chain is the central procurement system used by NHS hospitals, trusts and healthcare organisations across England to purchase clinical and non clinical products. It covers everything from surgical gloves and dressings to IV cannulas, compression stockings, beds and beyond.
Rather than each hospital sourcing products individually from hundreds of different suppliers, the NHS Supply Chain brings everything together under one national catalogue. This means products are nationally negotiated, quality assured and delivered directly to NHS stores departments across the country.
The NHS Supply Chain catalogue website is publicly accessible for browsing products. However, pricing information is only visible when you are logged in through a trust computer or using an authorised NHS account. If you are at home or on a personal device, you will be able to search and browse but the prices will not be shown.
Thousands of products from approved suppliers, all quality-checked and available for regular NHS orders.
Prices are nationally agreed, meaning NHS trusts get consistent, competitive rates across the board.
Products ordered through the system are delivered directly to your hospital's stores or department.
The catalogue is for NHS procurement. Individual clinical staff do not place orders directly in most trusts.
Finding the NHS Supply Chain Catalogue
The NHS Supply Chain catalogue is available online and you can search it from any device. You do not need to be logged in to browse products and read descriptions. To access pricing, you will need to be on a trust computer or using an NHS login.
When you arrive on the site you will see a search bar and a series of product categories. You can search by product name, description, product code or manufacturer. The catalogue is updated regularly as new products are added, discontinued or replaced.
Pricing on the NHS Supply Chain website is only visible when you are accessing the site from a trust computer or through a trust-authenticated NHS login. If you are on a personal device or home network, product information will be visible but prices will not display. Ask your procurement team or stores department if you need to check a price.
How to Find What You Are Looking For
Once you are on the catalogue website, finding a product is straightforward. Here is the most effective way to search.
Type in the name of the product you are looking for. Be as specific as possible. For example, searching for "compression stockings class 2" will give you more relevant results than just "stockings." You can also search by the manufacturer's name if you know it.
If you are not sure exactly what the product is called, use the category filters on the left hand side. Products are grouped into clinical areas such as wound care, infection prevention, orthopaedics, theatres, and general ward supplies. This is a good way to browse what is available in a particular area.
Every product on the NHS Supply Chain has a unique product code. If you have seen a product in your department and want to find the same one, look for the code on the packaging or on the sticker in the storeroom. Entering the code directly into the search bar will take you straight to the correct product.
Each product listing includes a full description, the supplier, the pack size, any relevant clinical specifications and the product code. Take note of all of this information before you move forward with a request. You will need the product code and pack size when you raise an order or speak to your procurement team.
If you are on a trust computer and logged in with an NHS account, the price per unit or per pack will be visible on the product page. Take a note of this before speaking to your manager or placing a request, as cost is one of the key factors your team leader will need to consider when approving a new product.
If your initial search returns too many results, try adding more detail such as size, material or clinical specification. If you get no results, try a broader term. The catalogue uses supplier and manufacturer descriptions so wording may differ from what you are used to calling a product on the ward.
Always Speak to Your Team Leader Before Ordering
This is one of the most important steps and one that is easy to skip, especially when you find something that looks like a perfect solution for your ward or department. Before you take any steps to request or order a product, always check with your team leader or manager first.
Every department has a set budget. Your manager needs to approve any new product expenditure to make sure costs are allocated correctly and do not go over budget.
Some products require approval from a clinical lead or infection control team before they can be used in a ward or theatre environment. Your manager will know whether this applies.
Your trust may already stock a similar or equivalent product under a different name or code. Your manager or stores team will be able to tell you if there is an existing option already available.
NHS trusts have product formularies, lists of approved items that can be used clinically. Not every product on the NHS Supply Chain will automatically be on your trust's approved list.
Do not raise a purchase order or contact the procurement team directly without checking with your manager first. Even if a product is available on the catalogue and the price seems reasonable, your manager has the authority and context to decide whether it is appropriate for your department and budget. Taking this step first will save time and avoid orders being rejected or cancelled later.
Following Your Trust's Ordering Process
Once your manager has confirmed that a product can be ordered, the next step is following your hospital's specific ordering process. Every trust does this slightly differently but the most common methods are outlined below.
Most hospital storerooms have a whiteboard or ordering sheet on the wall that outlines the process for requesting new items or reordering stock. This will typically tell you what information to write down, who to pass the request to and how often orders are raised. This is your first port of call in most ward environments.
Many trusts have a dedicated procurement or supplies team who manage all ordering. If your storeroom does not have a clear process displayed, ask your manager for the contact details of your procurement team. When you email them, include the product name, the NHS Supply Chain product code, the pack size, the quantity you need and the reason for the request.
Some trusts use internal ordering systems such as Oracle, SAP or a bespoke electronic procurement platform. If your trust uses one of these, your manager or the procurement team will be able to show you how to raise a request through the system. You will still need the product code and all the relevant details from the catalogue.
In smaller departments or for urgent requests, speaking directly to the stores team is often the fastest route. Bring the product code and description with you and explain what you need and why. They will be able to advise on whether the product is already on your trust's ordering schedule or whether a new request needs to be raised.
When raising any order or request, always have the following information ready: the full product name, the NHS Supply Chain product code, the pack size, the quantity required, the cost per unit or pack (if you have been able to access it), and your department or ward name and cost centre code. Having all of this in advance will make the process much quicker for both you and the procurement team.
What Can You Find on the NHS Supply Chain?
The NHS Supply Chain catalogue covers an enormous range of products across virtually every clinical and non-clinical area. Here are some of the main categories you are likely to use.
The catalogue also includes some non-clinical items used in hospital environments such as cleaning products, office supplies and patient catering items, though these are usually managed by different departments and are less relevant to clinical staff.
Things to Remember
Always check the catalogue before assuming a product is unavailable on the NHS. The catalogue is large and the product you need may already be there under a different name or code.
You can browse products from any device but you will only see prices when logged in through a trust computer or NHS account.
Always get approval from your team leader before requesting a product. Cost, clinical suitability and trust policy all need to be considered before an order goes in.
The product code is the most important piece of information when placing any request. Write it down along with the pack size and price before you start the ordering process.
Your storeroom should have the ordering process clearly displayed. If it does not or if it is out of date, speak to your manager about getting it updated.
If you are unsure of the process, your trust's procurement or supplies team are there to help. A clear, well-prepared email with all the product details will get you a much faster response.
Designed by an NHS ODP for healthcare workers across every specialty.