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Compliance and governance

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has a defined approach to governance and compliance where public accountability in delivering health services is required, it is imperative to providing safe quality care for patients and staff. This approach helps EEAST to maintain high standards of compliance and governance, ensuring that procurement activities support the organisation’s overall goals and sustainability objectives.

Our internal Standard Financial Instructions (SFIs) and Scheme of Delegation (SoD) confirm the internal approval processes required to approve and manage tenders and contracts with all major contracts requiring Board approval. Our SFIs also clearly sets out roles and responsibilities, delegated authority and accountability.

For consistency, our SFIs and SoD are underpinned by a number of policies and procedures that we follow to ensure compliance, transparency and fairness. Below are some of our key policies:

  • Public Contracts Regulations 2015
  • Procurement Policy
  • Anti-Fraud and Bribery Policy
  • Standards of Business Conduct Policy

These regulations and policies help ensure that the procurement process is conducted ethically, legally, and efficiently and any instance of non-compliance must be reported to our Audit Committee.

Upcoming Changes to the Procurement Act – What You Need to Know

The Procurement Act is set to undergo significant changes aimed at making public sector procurement simpler, more transparent, and more efficient. These updates are designed to benefit businesses, suppliers, and public sector organisations by streamlining processes and increasing opportunities for fair competition.

Key Changes:

  1. Simplified Procurement Procedures – The new Act will reduce bureaucracy by standardising processes, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to bid for contracts.
  2. Greater Transparency – Enhanced requirements for public disclosure will ensure procurement decisions are clear and accountable.
  3. Increased Focus on Value for Money – The reforms will emphasise getting the best overall value, including social and environmental benefits, rather than just the lowest price.
  4. More Opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – New measures will level the playing field for SMEs, ensuring they have a fair chance to compete for public sector contracts.
  5. Stronger Rules on Ethical Procurement – A new framework will ensure suppliers meet higher ethical and sustainability standards.
  6. Mandatory Registration on the Central Digital Platform – Suppliers will need to register on the Central Digital Platform to participate in public procurement processes.

What This Means for You:

  • For Businesses & Suppliers: These changes create a more straightforward and fairer system, reducing red tape and making it easier to compete for public contracts. Suppliers must ensure they are registered on the Central Digital Platform to be eligible for bidding opportunities.
  • For Public Sector Organisations: A more efficient and accountable procurement process will improve service delivery and help ensure taxpayers’ money is well spent.

The new Procurement Act changes will take effect on the 24 February 2025, so we encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new requirements. Keep an eye on this page for further updates and guidance on how to prepare.

Further useful information can be found here: The Procurement Act 2023: A short guide for suppliers (HTML) - GOV.UK

Procurement within EEAST

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