1. Bates Productivity Services
announced as supplier on National
Tail End Management Framework
Press Release
13th January 2017
Bates Productivity Services announced as supplier
on National Tail End Management framework
The National Health Service (NHS) and wider public sector is facing an unprecedented time where they are being challenged
to utilise available resources more effectively. The recent study by Lord Carter outlined the need for better control of the £9bn
non–pay spend, with unwarranted variation and better controls on product catalogues as key findings.
To achieve this Authorities are looking towards innovative solutions to help reduce their cost base and increase efficiency.
Through management of their tail end spend they can achieve both objectives and deliver on the targets set out by the
Carter report.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Commercial Procurement Service sought to introduce a new commercial
framework agreement which will allow NHS authorities and other public bodies to procure tail end management services,
including purchasing, supplier management, delivery and reporting with no further competition. This will enable Trusts to act
quickly in management of their tail end purchase order spend.
The framework is available for use by all NHS bodies and other public sector organisations in the United Kingdom who are
referenced within the OJEU award notice.
“Bates have been offering innovative solutions to the public sector for over 10 years. We are really excited to be
able to help authorities become more efficient and make immediate savings as part of the wider Lord Carter initiative.
Bates already work with a number of leading trusts such as Barts and Great Ormond St on optimising their tail end
spend and look forward to sharing best practice on a national scale via this framework.”
Michael Edmonds – MD Bates Productivity Services
The desired output is to reduce internal costs of procuring and managing the tail end spend
and these can be measured in two ways;
• direct savings as a result of purchasing through the tail end management provider and/or
• indirect savings and efficiencies in processes and reduction of supply chain management
through client authorities’ procurement departments.
“In our endeavours to innovate, streamline and deliver efficiencies to the NHS we have now awarded our latest
framework agreement: Tail End Spend Management. It’s the first of its kind (another first) and allows Trusts to
consolidate a significant number of low spend suppliers into a single supplier route.”
Andrew O’Connor (MCIPS) – Director of Commercial Procurement Services,
The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust Hospital
Countess of Chester Hospital
NHS Foundation Trust
Commercial Procurement Services

2. Press Release
13th January 2017
About Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
Commercial Procurement
The Countess of Chester employs a team of professional staff to undertake its Procurement activities. The Procurement function
has evolved over the last ten years into a dedicated department delivering increased efficiencies and quality year on year.
In addition, the department has reduced risk through providing both advice on European Procurement legislation and the
formatting and rollout of robust policies and procedures in relation to the procurement of goods and services.
Our Framework Agreements aim to offer public sector organisation unique access points to goods and services which offer
innovation and savings at no cost to access.
About Bates Office Services LTD
The history of Bates goes right back to the 1940’s when the Government required engineers to maintain office equipment in war
torn London. Bates established itself as a reliable, trustworthy and value for money Business and this has stayed at the heart of
the Company ever since.
To this day Bates is proud to maintain many Frameworks for both the NHS, the Public Sector and the Educational market.
Framework name: Tail End Management
OJEU Notice ref: 2016/S 200-360874
Framework Duration: 30/12/2016 – 29/12/2020
Contact:
Lauren Hughes
Framework Manager
T: 01244 365143
E. laurenhughes1@nhs.net
www.coch.nhs.uk
For more information on our Tail Management service and for a free audit contact:
Clare Weller
M. 07711 954004
T. 01322 550 167
E. Clare.Weller@batesoffice.co.uk
www.batesoffice.co.uk
Countess of Chester Hospital
NHS Foundation Trust
Commercial Procurement Services