The search is on for inspirational examples of businesses, third sector organisations and the NHS working together to improve patient care and support health and care staff during COVID-19.

Nominations are now open for the NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards. The awards are open to any business that currently supplies goods, works or services to NHS trusts in the North of England, and to any NHS trust in the region.

This year, in recognition of the response of the health and care sector to COVID-19, the awards will consist of three categories:

• Fighting the virus, recognising organisations demonstrating innovation in supply of a product, process or service which directly supported the response of the health and care system to the virus.
• Supporting the system, recognising organisations demonstrating innovation in supporting, enhancing or transforming existing areas of health and care or services that were impacted by COVID-19.
• NHS procurement heroes, recognising NHS procurement teams or members of procurement teams who have provided exceptional support to their trust during COVID-19.

The deadline for nominations is 21 August 2020. Nominations can be entered by visiting https://www.innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk/excellence-in-supply-awards-2020

An awards ceremony will be held online on 22 October.

The NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards are organised by the NHS Supply Chain Northern Customer Board and the Innovation Agency, the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) for the North West Coast. The awards are co-sponsored by Health Innovation Manchester and Yorkshire and Humber AHSN.

Mick Guymer, Chair of the Northern Customer Board, said: “This year’s Excellence in Supply Awards are our opportunity to recognise and celebrate some of the pioneering collaborations between suppliers and the NHS in the North which are having a real impact in terms of our response to COVID-19.”

Dr Liz Mear, Chief Executive of the Innovation Agency, said: “Excellence in supply is integral to good quality healthcare, and NHS trusts in our region have established ground-breaking initiatives through excellent relationships with organisations large and small. These relationships have sustained the region’s response to COVID-19, and I look forward to celebrating the hard work and innovation which we’ve seen throughout the crisis.”