Topic

NHS Supply Chain Chlorine Tablet NCP Sourcing Strategy - Customer Voice

Sofia Santoro-Kirk
Sofia Santoro-Kirk • 20 March 2025

Hello,

NHS Supply chain have a customer panel to gain customer insight into implementing an NCP (Nationally Contracted Product) strategy for dilution vessels, CHLORINE TABS and granules to drive cost savings and operational efficiency, this is due to take place over Microsoft teams taking place on 3rd April 1400 and are looking for engagement/attendance from:

 

•            IPC

•            Housekeeping

•            Ward Managers

•            CPSN

•            Head of Facilities

•            Estate Managers

 

Key Aims:

• Deliver Savings 

• Standardisation 

• Supply Chain Efficiency 

 

Regulatory and Safety Compliance Purpose of the customer panel: 

• Gather insights, feedback and benefits of migrating to an NCP model

• Understand any potential blockers, concerns or challenges 

• Discuss expectations, requirements and any key considerations 

• Ensure alignment and address any reservations

 

The link for customers to register is: https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/contact/voice-of-the-customer-team/customer-voice-in-category-strategy/ or alternatively you can email myself and I will ensure you or colleagues are included in the invite.

 

This is behalf on the, 'VOICE of the Customer Team' 

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Comments (3)

Graham Pike
Graham Pike

Hi Sofia,

Can I (perhaps cheekily) suggest that Supply Chain should be looking to move away from chlorine? It damages surfaces and corrodes equipment, meaning things have to be replaced more frequently which is not sustainable. It's a known respiratory irritant. It damages water courses if discharged into them. It's not even a very effective disinfectant as it is inactivated by organic matter. There are other chemistries which are both more effective and more sustainable, e.g. peracetic acid, hypochlorous acid.

Best wishes,

Graham (Infection Prevention Society sustainability lead)

Sofia Santoro-Kirk
Sofia Santoro-Kirk

Hi Graham, its not cheeky at all! I appreciate your concern. There is the corrosive element however its my understanding that there are microbes that chlorine tabs are great at destroying. Suppliers are generally asked for a compatibility list to ensure that equipment isn't damaged- but to be honest this is not my framework so I am far from an expert. My colleague has reached out as she is not managing to get much engagement on this. I am also registered to attend as a clinician- my concern is the dilution vessels are they re-used? Feel free to join Graham ☺️

Graham Pike
Graham Pike

Hi Sofia, thanks for getting back. I can't think of any microbe where the use of chlorine is essential - if anything the other chemicals I mention are more effective. We don't use chlorine at all at my Trust so I don't feel I can join this panel or comment on whether the dilution vessels are reused. Hope you can find someone 🙂


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