Gippsland health service leads first collaborative uniform tender in the region

A collaborative uniform tender led by Latrobe Regional Health has resulted in cost savings of up to 20 per cent for some Gippsland health services, in addition to more efficient processes and better service standards.

Four of the largest health services in the region – Latrobe Regional Health, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Central Gippsland Health Service and Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, together with Yarram and District Health Service, participated in the health service-led cluster tender.

Contracts and Procurement Advisor at Latrobe Regional Health Narelle Grieve, who led the cluster tender, said it was the first time a collaborative procurement event had been run in Gippsland.

“It was great to have the support of HSV’s Senior Customer Relationship Manager for the South Eastern region Emma Hammond throughout the process,” she says.

“Emma and Trish Boschin (Senior Customer Relationship Manager for the North Eastern region), who previously ran a cluster tender in Loddon Mallee, shared details of the process which helped us with the planning and design phase. 

“Many government requirements need to be considered when sourcing uniforms, including modern slavery, and HSV’s expertise was invaluable.”

Narelle says the health services appointed a panel of suppliers with the flexibility to accommodate the needs of both smaller health services like Yarram and District Health Service, and larger ones like Latrobe Regional Health, which has a 3,000-strong workforce. They also needed to be able to service locations across Gippsland that were up to three hours’ drive apart.

The uniforms are also more fit for purpose and suited to a modern workforce, meeting requirements for functionality, comfort, style and hygiene.

“We’re moving from a traditional uniform to a new style of scrubs which are more comfortable and more suited to our working environment,” says Narelle.

“As a region, we’ve been able to rationalise our supplier base, and we were able to standardise the product list across the five health services.”

Narelle says employees can order their own uniforms online which saves time, and the management system makes it easier for health services to monitor employee allocations.

With a regional sourcing model in place, Gippsland health services are now collaborating on a further group approach to market for single-use patient transfer air mattresses, which is expected to be completed in December.

HSV Director Customer Engagement Alfred Matthews says HSV provides support with the procurement process including data analysis for health services that wish to lead collaborative tenders.

“This highlights the value of running collaborative tenders. When health services identify a need, HSV can work with them to put a process in place that will help them obtain the best value in the market, in addition to the other benefits to be gained,” he says.

Since COVID-19 demand for uniforms has increased, with a trend towards clothing that is both functional and comfortable. 

Above image: Staff from Latrobe Regional Health in their new uniforms.