Planning

Provision of Pharmacy Services

KENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 May 2026 at 16:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is initiated by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, for the provision of comprehensive pharmacy services. The project, still in the planning stage as of 15th May 2026, is focused on the delivery of pharmaceutical supplies and services across inpatient and community settings. The procurement exercise is set to begin in April 2028 and will continue until March 2033, with the potential for renewal. The key engagement session is scheduled for 8th June 2026, where stakeholders can discuss the procurement process and objectives. The location of this contract is indicated to encompass regions within the United Kingdom, specifically UKI and UKJ, and the industry category includes pharmaceutical products and pharmacy services.

This procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses, particularly those in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. SMEs are encouraged to participate, offering them the chance to collaborate with prominent NHS Trusts to deliver essential medical services. Businesses with capabilities in efficient medicines supply management, digital integration with Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration systems, and specialist pharmaceutical services will find this tender specifically aligned with their expertise. By engaging in this exercise, companies can strengthen their industry position, expand their market presence, and contribute to crucial healthcare service delivery enhancements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Pharmacy Services

Notice Description

Kent Community Health NHS Trust (KCHFT) and Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust (KMMH) are publishing this UK2: Preliminary Market Engagement Notice on 15th May 2026 to invite expressions of interest from suppliers to participate in a market engagement exercise relating to the provision of a complete pharmaceutical supply services for both inpatient and community services across the two Trusts. Since 2022, Kent and Medway NHS Mental Health Trust (KMMH) and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) have collaboratively procured pharmacy services across both organisations. This joint approach builds on an established partnership, enabling a system-wide model that maximises the effective use of resources, strengthens local relationships, and enhances service delivery across both Trusts. The overarching aim of the pharmacy supply service is to provide a safe, efficient, and patient-centred medicines supply function that supports high-quality clinical care across inpatient, rehabilitation, and community settings. The service is designed to: * Ensure timely, accurate, and reliable dispensing and supply of medicines to meet the needs of patients and services. * Support safe and effective medicines management in line with legal, regulatory, and professional standards. * Enable continuity of care through responsive and flexible supply arrangements, including urgent and out-of-hours provision. * Reduce medicines waste and optimise resource utilisation through stock management, recycling, and redistribution processes. * Support digital transformation through integration with Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems. * Provide specialist services, including clozapine dispensing, in alignment with national monitoring requirements and local clinical pathways and the provision of over labelling of medicines. * Contribute to workforce development through the training and support of pre-registration/foundation pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. * Ensure robust financial and clinical governance through accurate data reporting, audit, and management of national medicines alerts. The service will work in partnership with clinical teams to ensure medicines optimisation, improve patient outcomes, and support the evolving needs of mental health and community healthcare services. KCHFT will act as the lead authority for the procurement of these services. An engagement presentation is scheduled for 10 am on 8th June 2026. This will be by Microsoft Teams and not in person. The presentation will outline the Trusts' objectives for the service, anticipated timelines, and expectations for the procurement process. It will also provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions and offer feedback to the Trusts. If you would like to participate in this session please email kentchft.procurementnotices@nhs.net to confirm attendance and an invite will be sent to you.

Planning Information

An engagement presentation is scheduled for 10 am on 8th June 2026. This will be by Microsoft Teams and not in person. The presentation will outline the Trusts' objectives for the service, anticipated timelines, and expectations for the procurement process. It will also provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions and offer feedback to the Trusts. The Trusts are also offering the chance to meet with them on an individual basis post presentation and completion of a questionnaire which will be issued to interested parties. This will take place on the morning of the 23rd of June at the request of either party. If you would like to participate in this session please email kentchft.procurementnotices@nhs.net to confirm attendance and an invite will be sent to you.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069a82
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045126-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

85149000 - Pharmacy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2028 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Additional Buyers

KENT AND MEDWAY MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ASHFORD
Postcode
TN25 4AZ
Post Town
Tonbridge
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLI London, TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Barming Heath & Teston
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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