DHL wins contract

The range of products NHS Supply Chain will manage encompasses a wide range of goods including key supplier and maintenance contracts, food, bed linen, office equipment, stationery, cleaning products, patient clothing, medical and surgical equipment (such as operating theatre equipment and machinery) dressings and provisions. NHS Supply Chain will have its own management team and be governed by a Board dedicated to managing the performance of the operations. In addition, it will be overseen by the NHS Business Services Authority, a government body responsible for managing core public sector support services.

In 2008, DHL will open a new 250,000 sq ft UK-based DHL distribution centre (DC) to act as a stockholding hub for food and other products. It is expected that around 1,000 extra employees will be recruited to manage this distribution centre and an additional DC in 2012.

With extensive experience in the healthcare sector, including over five years experience with the former NHS Logistics, DHL will build upon existing knowledge, relationships and capabilities to pass savings back to the Department of Health. In addition, DHL will have freedom to invest and develop the business along commercial best practice, work even more closely alongside industry professionals and suppliers, and introduce more employees to the benefits of working alongside DHL.