Aims and objectives
- Understand what the NHS buying catalogue is and how to access it
- Know what a horizon scan and accelerator programmes are and how AHSNs can support your innovation needs
- List three other online resources to source market ready digital tools
Once you have identified your organisations needs and have an idea on how innovation can support this, you may look to deploy a digital solution. One of the options is to look through the NHS buying catalogue, but you can also contact your local AHSN for support or the NHS digital playbooks.
Information provided by NHS Digital
The NHS Digital Buying Catalogue
Background
Digital services and technology are the backbone of General Practice. They enable safe and effective patient care by surfacing key patient data, or supporting effective treatment from multiple locations, but more than that, new technologies and digital services can transform the way primary care works – think virtual appointments.
New innovative technologies can allow primary care to keep up with modern life and offer services that truly meet modern patient needs, whilst making the lives easier for clinicians. But, a lot of technology and digital services are provided by third parties, and it can be difficult to know what’s available, and if it is going to work.
Buyers in Primary Care need to find assured technology and digital services which will do the job. It can be difficult to know exactly what to look for, or which suppliers can be trusted to deliver.
The GP IT Futures programme have developed the Buying Catalogue to make it simpler, easier, and more transparent to procure assured technology and digital services – informing and educating buyers about what is available and opening minds to the possibilities that new technologies can bring.
What is the Buying Catalogue?
The Buying Catalogue is a digital marketplace where buyers in Primary Care can browse, compare, and find the best solutions to fit their needs. Think of it as the Amazon of NHS Primary Care where you can look at a range of assured and trustworthy IT systems.
The Buying Catalogue is a one stop shop for trustworthy technology and digital services, making it quick and easy for Primary Care staff to get the tools they need to support their patients.
Why should you use the Buying Catalogue?
It’s important that buyers in Primary Care can find assured technology and digital services which will do the job. The Buying Catalogue helps to make the process easier by providing a list of assured services and suppliers in one place and giving confidence to choosing a new supplier or service.
How does the Buying Catalogue work?
The Buying Catalogue is accessible online, and anyone can browse the large number of assured technology and digital solutions.
Users can browse solutions and get an idea of what is available. Buyers must register for a buyer user account in order to progress a procurement, and this will provide access to the ordering area of the platform.
What are the limitations of the Buying Catalogue?
The goal is to create a full end-to-end digital procurement process which makes it easy to find and buy technology and digital services in one place. The Buying Catalogue doesn’t list everything yet, but the supplier solutions that are listed, have met a set of criteria and standards so that users can trust them.
Horizon Scanning
A horizon scan is a search undertaken to look at current market ready solutions in each area of technology. AHSNs often undertake / have knowledge of solutions on the market place and can help provide guidance on innovation if needed. Examples of horizon scans can include those used for remote monitoring or automation tools which can be similar to an options appraisal. If your organisation requests this information, it may be more useful to approach your local AHSN who may be able to guide you on delivering this.
This may include companies that are newly entering the market from accelerator programmes such as the NHS Innovation Accelerator or Digital Health. London Accelerator DH.LA.
Digital Playbooks
The digital playbooks have been developed to support clinical teams to reimagine and redesign care pathways by showcasing tried and tested technologies to solve real-world problems. Explore the digital playbooks to find out about challenges faced by people working in different NHS organisations and discover their solutions and best practice.
Key resources
- NHS Buying Catalogue
- NHS Digital Buying Catalogue
- Digital playbooks – Key tools and information – NHS Transformation Directorate (england.nhs.uk)
- Department of international trade digital playbook: Connecting UK Digital Health (eventscloud.com)