Procurement for the Provision of Incontinence Products (Pads) Incl. A Delivery Service to Hospitals & Patient Homes - All Wales

Incontinence can range in severity from a small leak to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. Incontinence affects women, men and children of all ages, physical ability and background. There are however some health conditions and life events that can put a person at an increased risk of developing either urinary or fecal incontinence.

Bladder and bowel problems are common and in most cases treatable, but they are poorly understood and often under-prioritised within health and care provision in Wales. Individual patient assessment is a fundamental activity guiding best practice for the provision of containment products for adults in Wales. This is essential prior to identifying management options and consideration of the use of containment products.

The contract is for the supply and delivery of disposable and washable (reusable) incontinence products to both primary and secondary care patients, and does not include or provide individual assessments. This service is excluded from the contract as it undertaken by Continence Advisors within each Health Board and Trust.

The product ranges include;

• Adult Napkins/Diapers – All-in-Ones
• Babies (under 4 years) / Children (4 years+) Napkins/Diapers
• Pads – Shaped and Rectangular
• Fixation Pants
• Procedure Pads

The pressures on NHS Wales is increasing each year with the growth in patients requiring ongoing continence care, and inflationary pressures related to the trading relationship with the EU. Therefore, interest in Value Based Health Care (VBHC) has increased significantly in the NHS and it is very closely associated with the Welsh Government’s ‘Prudent Healthcare’ in Wales initiative.

• Achieve health and wellbeing with the public, patients and professionals as equal partners through co-production.
• Care for those with the greatest health need first, making the most effective use of all skills and resources.
• Do only what is needed, no more, no less; and do no harm.
• Reduce inappropriate variation using evidence-based practices consistently and transparently. Additional information: The Contracting Authority intends to use an eTendering system in this procurement exercise and reserves the right to use a reverse auction.