#TeamTalk: How our Implementation and Adoption Team has evolved

Welcome to the March edition of the NOE CPC customer newsletter, and the second edition of our #TeamTalks series, where we put the spotlight on one of the teams that make up NOE CPC.

This month, we focus on our Implementation and Adoption team, who are at the forefront of our delivery as a Category Management Service Provider (CMSP) for Facilities and Office Solutions. The team cover a wide geographical area and work with customers to find innovative solutions to trust challenges, providing the link between our procurement team, customers, and suppliers.

We spoke to Simon Pugh , Senior Implementation and Adoption Manager, about his role, supporting customers, their data driven approach and the evolution of the I&A team.

"Our team plays a crucial role in ensuring the best value products and services are implemented within the NHS. Often working behind the scenes, we bridge the gap between procurement, customers, suppliers, and ICS managers at NHS Supply Chain.

"I like to think of our team as the link that keeps the cogs turning. We provide additional capacity to trusts that may need support to explore procurement opportunities. We analyse spend data, present opportunities for switching to more cost-effective or sustainable options and cover all facilities and office solutions categories. Each team member is responsible for a different ICS, ensuring tailored support and analysis at both the ICS and trust levels. Despite being a customer-facing role, our work is heavily data-driven. It's important to us that we back up our recommendations with solid data. By analysing spend patterns and peaks and troughs within the NHS, we provide valid and reliable insights to our customers. This data-driven approach enhances our credibility and ensures that our recommendations are evidence-based.

"Since the I&A team was created in 2018, our remit has evolved significantly. Initially, we focused on cost savings, but now we also consider sustainability and value-based opportunities. The depth of knowledge within our team has grown, allowing us to provide more tailored and specific impact reports for each trust. We also collaborate more closely with ICS managers, presenting opportunities at both the ICS and individual trust levels.

"We’re an agile team and remote working facilitates our effective diary management, reducing the need for face-to-face meetings and enabling more productive use of time. This shift has also benefited trusts as end-users can now participate in meetings without being pulled away from their frontline duties.

"Currently, we are focusing on several key projects, including the NHS Healthcare Uniforms initiative, which promises significant financial and operational benefits for the NHS. We are also preparing for the launch of new cleaning and catering frameworks, which will introduce new opportunities and innovations for trusts. Our agility and proactive approach are essential in managing these diverse projects. Find out more about new framework launches and updates across the CMSP and whole NOE CPC portfolio below.

"Looking ahead, we face the challenge of delivering value for trusts against tightening budgets. While quick wins are becoming harder to find, we are concentrating our efforts on presenting more value-based opportunities that offer long-term benefits. By being innovative and understanding the specific needs of each trust, we aim to continue driving positive outcomes for the NHS."