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Working with suppliers

We work with a number of suppliers to help ensure that we provide the best possible service to the public.

Each year we spend approximately £150 million on a wide range of goods and services. We have a responsibility to ensure that all public money we receive is used as resourcefully as possible, in line with UK Public Procurement legislation and in order to deliver London Ambulance Service missions and wider public sector goals, including acting ethically, responsibly and commercially to deliver best value for money.

Message from Rakesh Patel, Chief Finance Officer:

As the Chief Finance Officer it is my responsibility to ensure that the Trust’s funds are used to provide the best possible care to our patients, and relationships between the Trust and its partners are transparent and fair. The Trust does not tolerate any form of bribery or fraud, whether direct or indirect, by, or of its staff, consultants or suppliers, or any persons or entities acting for it or on its behalf.

The board and senior management are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems throughout the Trust, including stringent policies and internal systems to prevent and detect bribery, in accordance with the Bribery Act 2010, and to counter fraud by ensuring compliance with the NHS Counter Fraud Authority requirement to comply with the Government Functional Standard for Counter Fraud. We operate a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and bribery and, working with our Local Counter Fraud Specialist, we will investigate any allegations raised, recover any misappropriate funds and hold to account anyone that attempts to defraud us.

The NHS Counter Fraud Authority is a special health authority tasked to lead the fight against fraud, bribery and corruption in the NHS. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority confidential reporting line can be reached (24/7) on 0800 028 40 60 and you can also use their online reporting form. All reports are treated in confidence, and you have the option to report anonymously.

  • Our procurement team is responsible for ensuring that the right quality and quantity of equipment, materials and services are delivered on time to the Service, for the most advantageous overall cost.

    We comply with the Procurement Act 2023 and where relevant the Provider Selection Regime when undertaking procurement and sourcing activity.

  • We work with the Southern Ambulance Services Collaborative, the NHS London Procurement Programme, the Government Commercial Agency, the Metropolitan Police, the London Fire Brigade and Transport for London, amongst others, to ensure that we deliver high-quality, effective public sector procurement.

  • Our principal areas of spend include:

    Information technology

    • Desktops and services
    • Communications technology
    • Software
    • Networks

    Fleet and logistics

    • Emergency vehicles
    • Maintenance & Accident damage repairs
    • Fuel

    Medical

    • Defibrillators and associated equipment
    • Medical gases
    • Medical consumables, bandages, gloves etc

    Professional services

    • HR recruitment
    • Travel and accommodation
    • Financial services
    • Insurance

  • We are committed to sustainable procurement by ensuring that social, economic and environmental issues are considered during all stages of the procurement process and as part of the whole-life cost of a contract.

    Equality and inclusion

    We are committed to fostering a diverse supplier base and aim to ensure that businesses of diverse backgrounds and ownership have the opportunity to become valued suppliers.

    Sustainable procurement

    In December 2021, LAS trust board approved LAS Green Plan, in which we committed to achieve net zero direct emissions by 2040 and net zero indirect emissions by 2045, which includes all the goods and services we buy from our suppliers and partners (procurement). To reduce carbon emissions from procurement, we will follow the NHS net zero supplier roadmap. While we will closely work with all our suppliers to progressively decarbonise our supply chain, we also strongly recommend all our suppliers to prepare for this transition.

    • As an NHS Trust we must advertise and/or obtain quotations/tenders for the goods and services we procure. This allows for fair, transparent and equal competition within the marketplace.
    • The London Ambulance Service uses an electronic tendering system Login | Health Family eCommercial System (force.com). This means all tenders are conducted and accepted electronically. How to apply for a tender will be outlined against each tender opportunity listed.
    • From 1st April 2026, all organisations who wish to do business with London Ambulance Service, NHS and the wider public sector must register and provide basic information about themselves in order to bid for and win contracts.
    • We would also encourage potential suppliers to register on the Find a Tender service which provide access to a range of opportunities to work with the wider public sector and pre-register for supplying to Government.

     

  • The Service procures a variety of goods and services from a global supply chain. Our suppliers are integral to delivering the best healthcare service to the communities we serve in London.

    Terms and conditions

    NHS terms and conditions for the provision of goods and/or services form the basis of our contracts unless agreed otherwise in writing. These can be found here.

    Tips for responding to tenders

    • Read the information for providers and the specification – always ask clarification questions.
    • Answer in full – do not assume anything is obvious – we can only evaluate what is written down in your answer.
    • Focus answers on the questions – we can only evaluate what is relevant – demonstrate how you will meet the requirements of the tender.
    • Be clear on your pricing model – state any assumptions – provide full costings.
    • Check that you have signed and returned the declarations.

  • Anti-Fraud Bribery and Corruption Policy (docx, 172.11 KB)

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