New medical gases deal secures three quarters of a million pound savings

A new national medical gases framework - led by the NHS Commercial Alliance - will save the 11 ambulance services in England more than £750k per annum.

Oxygen and the fifty: fifty mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen (commonly known as entonox, the registered trademark of BOC, or ‘gas and air’) are essential in the delivery of emergency care.

Oxygen is used in life-saving and life sustaining situations, while the mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen is particularly suitable to alleviate pain.

The four-year framework agreement, which went live on the April 1, this year comes at a time of increased competition within the medical gases market.

It has been awarded to four suppliers – BOC, Air Liquide, SOL SpA and Medical Gas Solutions Ltd (MGS) - includes fixed prices for the first three years of contract.

The NHS Commercial Alliance is a strategic partnership between the East of England Collaborative Procurement Hub, PRO-CURE and NHS Commercial Solutions.

In 2010, the partnership won a three-year contract to deliver procurement support to all the ambulance services across England.

For more information, please contact Richard Whiteside, ambulance service delivery manager, either by email: richard.whiteside@eoecph.nhs.uk or by telephone: 07983 339010