Cluster purchases of medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment

HealthShare Victoria (HSV) is currently running a series of cluster sourcing activities for CT scanners and MRI equipment, partnering with a number of health services who are seeking to invest in new capital acquisitions of equipment.

All public health services across Victoria are welcome to join the initiative and HSV is keen to hear from anyone who might be interested.

How can cluster sourcing help health services?

“The aim of these activities is to provide significant value for money. Delivering savings and benefits for Victoria’s public health services is a top priority for HSV and one way we do this is by combining multiple purchases of capital equipment,” says HSV Head of Equipment Sourcing Mark Lennen.

“Cluster sourcing enables health services to pool resources, reduce duplication of effort and achieve better value for money and service delivery,” Mark says.

HSV has had past success in cluster/aggregated sourcing activities in radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment, delivering savings and reducing the time, cost and effort required to procure for health services.

At the same time, suppliers find cluster sourcing activities attractive as they can potentially increase market share.

Can HSV help with warranties and specifications?

In addition to value for money, participating in HSV-run activities provide other benefits for health services, such as:

• extended valid quotation periods
• extended warranties and reduced ongoing service and maintenance
• high quality systems without compromising on health service requirements, often resulting in improved specifications
• offering complete procurement packages covering service and maintenance, software, infrastructure upgrades, installation and decommissioning costs.

How much time will it take?

HSV has simplified the procurement process for health services by implementing streamlined processes with better communication and engagement for all HSV-run activities, resulting in tenders having as little as three days’ turnaround time.

In working with health services to provide support throughout the procurement process, HSV listens to what a health service needs then works with them to achieve the best outcomes.

“The first and most important step we take is to understand what a health service needs to provide the best service to their patients. We work to meet the requirements and timelines of procurement teams,” Mark says.

What if we’ve already started something?

Mark is also keen to point out that HSV offers advice, guidance and negotiation on an ongoing and as-required basis, irrespective of what stage a procurement is at or if it is part of a group buy.

“We are here to help with one-off capital purchases at any stage in the process, whether that be technical expertise, procurement guidance, price benchmarking or assistance with supplier negotiations,” says Mark.

For more information about the upcoming cluster purchases or general support for capital equipment procurement, please contact an HSV Customer Relationship Manager or the HSV Helpdesk at helpdesk@healthsharevic.org.au or phone 03 9947 3900.