The NHS Supply Chain is committed to ensuring that its procurement arrangements support competition, innovation, and value for money for the National Health Service, while remaining compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 and other applicable legislation.

The NHS Supply Chain uses a range of commercial models to support market access and publishes a forward pipeline of anticipated procurement activity covering an 18 month period, providing suppliers with early visibility of upcoming opportunities and sufficient time to prepare to compete. Decisions regarding the structure and duration of framework agreements are taken following consideration of market conditions, competition, supply resilience, operational requirements, and the needs of NHS customers. Where appropriate, the NHS Supply Chain engages with trade associations and suppliers at an early stage to ensure category strategies are informed by market capability and to identify opportunities to improve access for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Procurement Act 2023 provides a range of commercial tools, including more flexible arrangements where appropriate, and the NHS Supply Chain considers these options during sourcing strategy development. Procurement approaches are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to support innovation, effective competition, and the adoption of technologies that deliver benefits for patients and the wider NHS.

The NHS Supply Chain's engagement with health technology SMEs, including through its SME Engagement Forum and the NHS England SME Playbook, helps identify emerging innovations and informs procurement strategies so that future opportunities reflect developments in the market and evolving clinical needs. To support SME participation, the NHS Supply Chain works directly with SME suppliers through its bi-monthly SME Engagement Forum, which provides a mechanism for SMEs to raise challenges and help co-design improvements to procurement processes.

National Health Service medical services are free at the point of use for the patient, as the system is taxpayer funded, although patients might be charged for some NHS services, for example, dental treatment, prescriptions, glasses, wigs, and fabric supports. Patients might not have to pay for these services if they receive certain benefits or are on low incomes.

The NHS website sets out what contributions patients are required to make for medical equipment and treatment, which can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/when-you-need-to-pay-towards-nhs-care/

For patients receiving universal credit or on low incomes, financial help with those costs may be available. Information on the NHS Low Income Scheme and how to apply can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/

NHS England does not collect information on medical equipment loaned to National Health Service patients outside of NHS premises. NHS trusts, often in partnership with local councils and regional integrated community equipment services, loan a wide range of medical equipment devices free of charge to NHS patients, including mobility and disability aids, and it is the responsibility of the individual NHS body which loaned the medical equipment to pursue the return of that equipment. The Department has not made any estimates of the cost to the NHS of replacing medical equipment loaned to patients that is lost, damaged beyond repair, or not returned.

The NHS is committed to reducing waste, whilst also delivering cost savings and minimising environmental impact, as set out in the Delivering a Net Zero NHS report in 2020. Since the publication of the report, NHS England continues to work to expand locally managed walking aid refurbishment and reuse schemes, which include crutches, frames, and walking sticks. A range of resources and communications tools is available to support NHS trusts and patients with returns. This includes the Recycle Now website, where patients can check their nearest drop off location by postcode. As well as hospitals, NHS England has also established systems for walking aid return at waste and recycling centres in collaboration with local authority partners. Some trusts have offered home collection services for reusable walking aids in partnership with local authorities.

NHS England does not collect information on medical equipment loaned to National Health Service patients outside of NHS premises. NHS trusts, often in partnership with local councils and regional integrated community equipment services, loan a wide range of medical equipment devices free of charge to NHS patients, including mobility and disability aids, and it is the responsibility of the individual NHS body which loaned the medical equipment to pursue the return of that equipment. The Department has not made any estimates of the cost to the NHS of replacing medical equipment loaned to patients that is lost, damaged beyond repair, or not returned.

The NHS is committed to reducing waste, whilst also delivering cost savings and minimising environmental impact, as set out in the Delivering a Net Zero NHS report in 2020. Since the publication of the report, NHS England continues to work to expand locally managed walking aid refurbishment and reuse schemes, which include crutches, frames, and walking sticks. A range of resources and communications tools is available to support NHS trusts and patients with returns. This includes the Recycle Now website, where patients can check their nearest drop off location by postcode. As well as hospitals, NHS England has also established systems for walking aid return at waste and recycling centres in collaboration with local authority partners. Some trusts have offered home collection services for reusable walking aids in partnership with local authorities.

NHS England does not collect information on medical equipment loaned to National Health Service patients outside of NHS premises. NHS trusts, often in partnership with local councils and regional integrated community equipment services, loan a wide range of medical equipment devices free of charge to NHS patients, including mobility and disability aids, and it is the responsibility of the individual NHS body which loaned the medical equipment to pursue the return of that equipment. The Department has not made any estimates of the cost to the NHS of replacing medical equipment loaned to patients that is lost, damaged beyond repair, or not returned.

The NHS is committed to reducing waste, whilst also delivering cost savings and minimising environmental impact, as set out in the Delivering a Net Zero NHS report in 2020. Since the publication of the report, NHS England continues to work to expand locally managed walking aid refurbishment and reuse schemes, which include crutches, frames, and walking sticks. A range of resources and communications tools is available to support NHS trusts and patients with returns. This includes the Recycle Now website, where patients can check their nearest drop off location by postcode. As well as hospitals, NHS England has also established systems for walking aid return at waste and recycling centres in collaboration with local authority partners. Some trusts have offered home collection services for reusable walking aids in partnership with local authorities.

NHS England does not collect information on medical equipment loaned to National Health Service patients outside of NHS premises. NHS trusts, often in partnership with local councils and regional integrated community equipment services, loan a wide range of medical equipment devices free of charge to NHS patients, including mobility and disability aids, and it is the responsibility of the individual NHS body which loaned the medical equipment to pursue the return of that equipment. The Department has not made any estimates of the cost to the NHS of replacing medical equipment loaned to patients that is lost, damaged beyond repair, or not returned.

The NHS is committed to reducing waste, whilst also delivering cost savings and minimising environmental impact, as set out in the Delivering a Net Zero NHS report in 2020. Since the publication of the report, NHS England continues to work to expand locally managed walking aid refurbishment and reuse schemes, which include crutches, frames, and walking sticks. A range of resources and communications tools is available to support NHS trusts and patients with returns. This includes the Recycle Now website, where patients can check their nearest drop off location by postcode. As well as hospitals, NHS England has also established systems for walking aid return at waste and recycling centres in collaboration with local authority partners. Some trusts have offered home collection services for reusable walking aids in partnership with local authorities.

There is no published data showing the number of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners in use on 4 July 2024 and 14 May 2026.

Data on the number of CT and MRI scanners in use can be found in the Diagnostics Imaging dataset at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostic-imaging-dataset/national-imaging-data-collection/

As announced at the Autumn Budget 2025, the Government is increasing the Department’s capital budgets to £15.2 billion by the end of the Spending Review period (2029/30), to invest in the National Health Service and wider health infrastructure. This will deliver the largest ever health capital budget, which includes investment in all types of equipment. This investment takes steps to address the recommendations set out in Lord Darzi’s review, increasing the health capital budget by over 75% compared to 2019 levels.

Individual NHS trusts and foundation trusts are responsible and accountable for their own purchasing decisions, which will include equipment. NHS organisations are independent commercial entities, and it is for an NHS procuring authority to satisfy itself on how best to obtain quality and value for money through its procurement activity.

Local NHS organisations have access to a wide range of procurement routes, but the Government has put in place a range of initiatives to help NHS bodies make informed choices about the products and the route through which they are bought. These include NHS Supply Chain, a national body which is responsible for procuring and delivering the majority of consumables, medical equipment, and other supplies into the NHS. NHS Supply Chain was set up to leverage the collective buying power of the NHS to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured quality products at the best value.

As announced at the Autumn Budget 2025, the Government is increasing the Department’s capital budgets to £15.2 billion by the end of the Spending Review period (2029/30), to invest in the National Health Service and wider health infrastructure. This will deliver the largest ever health capital budget, which includes investment in all types of equipment. This investment takes steps to address the recommendations set out in Lord Darzi’s review, increasing the health capital budget by over 75% compared to 2019 levels.

Individual NHS trusts and foundation trusts are responsible and accountable for their own purchasing decisions, which will include equipment. NHS organisations are independent commercial entities, and it is for an NHS procuring authority to satisfy itself on how best to obtain quality and value for money through its procurement activity.

Local NHS organisations have access to a wide range of procurement routes, but the Government has put in place a range of initiatives to help NHS bodies make informed choices about the products and the route through which they are bought. These include NHS Supply Chain, a national body which is responsible for procuring and delivering the majority of consumables, medical equipment, and other supplies into the NHS. NHS Supply Chain was set up to leverage the collective buying power of the NHS to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured quality products at the best value.

At present, 'anti-choking' devices have not been adopted into routine National Health Service ambulance practice, as the current evidence base and national clinical guidance do not support their use over established techniques. As such, they are not included within standard ambulance equipment specifications.

Ambulance crews are equipped with a comprehensive range of airway management tools, including suction, oxygen, bag-valve-mask ventilation, airway adjuncts, both oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal, and, at a paramedic level, supraglottic airway devices, laryngoscopy, with the potential use of Magill forceps for removal of visible foreign bodies, and intubation equipment where appropriate. These enable clinicians to manage airway obstruction safely and in line with current clinical standards.

No specific assessment has been made. National Health Service providers, working with integrated care boards, are responsible for delivering NHS healthcare services that meet the needs of their local populations. This includes the medical equipment needed to deliver those services.

The Government will consider long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks (MSFs), including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. After the initial wave of MSFs is complete, the National Quality Board will determine the conditions to prioritise for new MSFs as part of its work programme.

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to explore innovation and policy prioritisation in respiratory health, including the cross‑Government alignment that may be required.

It is the responsibility of National Health Service systems to manage the bone cement supply delays in their local context. NHS England has been working closely with systems to manage the temporary supply disruption affecting certain Heraeus bone cement products. A letter was issued to systems in February 2026 and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/heraeus-medical-bone-cement-products/

NHS trusts have reviewed and clinically prioritised their orthopaedic waiting lists to ensure available stock is safely and appropriately used, taking into account patient need, staff familiarity with alternative products, and local supply constraints. Where delays to planned joint procedures are unavoidable, trusts are expected to maintain transparent and timely communication with affected patients, so they remain fully informed about changes to their care treatment pathway.

NHS England has advised trusts to make best use of any freed-up clinical capacity, including focussing on new outpatient activity, and strengthening clinical triage for patients waiting more than 18 weeks. These steps are intended to reduce the risk of knock-on effects for elective waiting time performance. Every effort is being made to sustain progress on Referral to Treatment performance while this temporary supply issue is resolved.

It is the responsibility of National Health Service systems to manage the bone cement supply delays in their local context. NHS England has been working closely with systems to manage the temporary supply disruption affecting certain Heraeus bone cement products. A letter was issued to systems in February 2026 and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/heraeus-medical-bone-cement-products/

NHS trusts have reviewed and clinically prioritised their orthopaedic waiting lists to ensure available stock is safely and appropriately used, taking into account patient need, staff familiarity with alternative products, and local supply constraints. Where delays to planned joint procedures are unavoidable, trusts are expected to maintain transparent and timely communication with affected patients, so they remain fully informed about changes to their care treatment pathway.

NHS England has advised trusts to make best use of any freed-up clinical capacity, including focussing on new outpatient activity, and strengthening clinical triage for patients waiting more than 18 weeks. These steps are intended to reduce the risk of knock-on effects for elective waiting time performance. Every effort is being made to sustain progress on Referral to Treatment performance while this temporary supply issue is resolved.

The £70 million investment is in the process of being spent, machines have been ordered, and they are being rolled out across the country, with some treating patients already. These 28 new, cutting-edge machines will reduce waiting times and provide 15% more treatments allowing 27,500 extra patients to be treated every year. This means more equal access and better outcomes for cancer patients across England.

The new radiotherapy machines are located at: Addenbrooke’s Hospital; Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital; Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre at Bristol Royal Infirmary; Charing Cross Hospital; The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, in the Withington Site; Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, in the Liverpool Site; Colchester General Hospital; Derriford Hospital; Freeman Hospital; Guy’s Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital; Hereford County Hospital; James Cook University Hospital; Kent and Canterbury Hospital; Lincoln County Hospital; North Middlesex University Hospital; Northampton General Hospital; Nottingham City Hospital; Royal Berkshire Hospital; Royal Cornwall Hospital; Royal Derby Hospital; Royal Marsden Hospital, in Sutton, Surrey; Royal Preston Hospital; Royal Surrey Hospital; Southend University Hospital; St Bartholomew’s Hospital; University College Hospital; Weston Park Cancer Centre; and Worcestershire Royal Hospital. In addition, four trusts, namely University Hospitals Birmingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, Southend, and Hereford and Gloucestershire, have received a contribution towards the cost of bunker refurbishment.

Joined up working between the Department and the National Health Service has successfully secured an alternative bone cement product for the coming weeks following the issues with Heraeus Medical’s production process. During this period, NHS providers were supported to prioritise remaining stock based on clinical guidance.

The Department has not collected data on the specific number of procedures delayed due to this supply issue centrally. Due to the speed by which alternative products have been identified the number of procedures postponed has been limited and where this has happened, trusts are seeking to reschedule affected procedures quickly.