HSV equipment sourcing delivering value

HSV has been assisting health services with a number of sourcing activities for medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, partnering with the Department of Health, BreastScreen Victoria and 15 health services across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria seeking to invest in new capital acquisitions of equipment.

Equipment being sourced includes CT scanners, MRIs, angiography and fluoroscopy systems, ultrasound machines and linear accelerators.

HSV strongly encourages all public health services across Victoria to engage with our Equipment Sourcing team, which can assist in securing fit-for-purpose medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment and achieve strong commercial outcomes.

The total health service expenditure in the equipment sourcing area coordinated by HSV on behalf of health services has grown from $3.5 million in FY18 to $30 million in FY22 as hospitals recognise HSV’s role in helping simplify the process and increase savings.

HSV is keen to hear from any health services interested in participating in our medical imaging and radiotherapy sourcing program. Working together to source a larger pool of equipment requirements provides economies of scale, greater incentives for suppliers, and reduces health service investment in time and effort to source the appropriate equipment.

HSV equipment sourcing helps health services

“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.

“Group buy 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 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 aggregated sourcing activities attractive as they can potentially increase market share.

How HSV helps 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.

A more streamlined procurement process

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.

HSV can help health services that have already started procurement

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 upcoming aggregated sourcing activities 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.