• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Akeso&Co Logo

Delivering innovative solutions to the healthcare & lifescience industry

Header Right

Consulting Services: 020 3011 1381
NHS Supply Chain: 01925 692 028
enquiries@akesoco.com
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Expertise
  • Case Studies
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Expertise
  • Case Studies
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Contact

Adapting your supply chain to life outside the European Union

March 17, 2021 //  by Akeso

The UK may have left the European Union (EU) with a trade deal, but for those involved in Healthcare supply chains that does not mean it is back to business as usual.

Although the worst-case scenario of a no deal has been avoided, there are still challenges for those tasked with maintaining the continuous supply of products and consumables for their Trust.

To help you overcome these challenges, we have reviewed the latest legislation, identified what it means for your Trust’s supply chain and outlined what you need to do to respond effectively.

Navigating the UK’s new relationship with the EU

While the full impact of Brexit is still to become clear, what we are already seeing is that trade between the UK and the EU is no longer as frictionless as it once was.

The situation has been eased somewhat by the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) preparations for a no deal, but this has not fully insulated healthcare from the challenges that many other sectors are experiencing.

Some of the issues that are being felt most acutely across the industry include:

  • Hidden complexity – The nuances of the UK/EU trade agreement are creating problems few Healthcare organisations have faced before. For example, how ‘country of origin’ rules could result in unexpected import tariffs and to which products these may apply.
  • Fluctuating lead times– The lack of a mutual recognition of standards and safeguards has increased the required customs paperwork and declarations. This may result in longer lead times, higher costs, and the potential for delays on time-sensitive products, such as diagnostic equipment spare parts.
  • Regional variations in policy – While the Northern Ireland Protocol has given the Healthcare industry a year’s reprieve, the long-term position on the status of Northern Ireland and what this means for the movement of medical equipment, devices, consumables and pharmaceuticals still remains unclear.

Although we expect further UK/EU negotiations to clarify some of these issues, it’s unlikely they will be resolved sufficiently to avoid the need for change in your supply chain over the coming year.

The increase in the use of UK-made products may help to create a more stable and secure supply chain. But it is still unclear whether this will create sufficient additional supply, at a viable cost, to make it an effective long-term solution for your Trust.

Our recommendations for Healthcare supply chain managers

Even though there is significant ambiguity about what the next 12 months could look like, by following a concerted plan of action it is possible for your Trust to reduce the risk of disruption.

There are several approaches you can take to strengthen your position and mitigate the challenges mentioned above. Our recommendations include:

  • Treat the UK’s relationship with the EU as an ongoing discussion and make decisions based on the most up-to-date facts.
  • Pool knowledge and resources with peers or regional colleagues to better understand any unexpected import tariffs and identify alternative suppliers.
  • Make sure you have the appropriate tools in place to assess stock position across your operations and support management of fluctuating lead times.
  • Keep your workforce informed. If your staff understand the risks, process changes and general trading landscape, they will be better placed to adapt to changes.
  • Find partners to support you. Engaging with external specialists in Healthcare supply chain operations, including distribution partners who deal with this day-in-day-out, will put you in better stead for any arising challenges.

Future proofing your Trust

By applying these steps your organisation will have the agility to navigate through the new trading landscape and manage potential risks to ensure no unexpected shortages occur.

Although Brexit is not the only supply chain threat, addressing the weaknesses and challenges highlighted will ensure your organisation is well-positioned to manage and respond to any future issues.

Category: News, Supply Chain

Previous Post: « Making the most of managed equipment services
Next Post: Contracting Managed Equipment Services – A unique legal and procurement perspective Akeso - Managed Equipment Services Webinar»

Primary Sidebar

Latest news

Pro-bono COVID-19 Grant Application Support to Homerton Healthcare Hospital Foundation Trust as the Lead Charity for North East London ICS

January 19, 2023 //  by Rianna

Delivering improvements to discharge practices

January 10, 2023 //  by Rianna

Technology-enabled virtual wards the future of healthcare

December 1, 2022 //  by Rianna

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Footer

Please get in touch

For Akeso & Co. Consulting Services in London
please call 020 3011 1381

For NHS Supply Chain in Warrington
please call 01925 692028

Our London office:

11 Cursitor Street
London, EC4A 1LL

Our Warrington office:

Wilderspool Park, Greenalls Avenue
Stockton Heath, WA4 6HL

Email Akeso & Co.

For Akeso & Co. Consulting Services please email enquiries@akesoco.com

For any enquiries relating to NHS Supply Chain please email akeso@supplychain.nhs.uk directly

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 Akeso & Co. · All Rights Reserved