What is a CPH?

CPHs are regional purchasing organisations and form a key strand of the Department of Health Commercial Directorate’s Supply Chain Excellence Programme.

By enabling member Trusts to purchase together, the aim is to bring about a new culture in health purchasing, take full advantage of NHS buying power and put money back into frontline services.

The hubs are a step change from SMCs, with greater investment to deliver more benefits and savings.

The CPH concept is not just about saving money, however; it is about finding the best possible product at the best possible price, without compromising the needs of patients or staff

Key characteristics of a CPH

A CPH will:

• be owned by member Trusts
• bring transformational and cultural change in relation to procurement
• deliver its objectives by employing leading-edge commercial practice
• be recognised as a ‘good corporate citizen’
• provide excellent career and progression opportunities for procurement staff
• develop strategic supplier partnerships to enhance business relationships
• be a commercially focused organisation, raising standards and releasing resources
• recognise the value of working in partnership with clinicians and other procurement
  users to secure savings from clinically acceptable goods and services
• drive change in the supply chain, aligning procedures, roles and responsibilities
• integrate with both current and future clinical networks
• develop systems and processes that will sustain procurement improvements