The GP Provider Alliance (GPPA) has established an at-scale buying group to help practices across North Central London benefit from working together as one system. The group brings together representatives from GP Federations to identify common products and services – from digital tools to occupational health – where the group can consolidate demand, reduce duplication, and negotiate NCL-wide agreements. By acting collectively, the buying group create opportunities for economies of scale, stronger supplier leverage, and a more streamlined way of working. 

While the at-scale buying group does not hold a central budget to purchase products/services directly, the aim is to negotiate flexible, opt-in contracts with bulk-pricing based on potential opt-in thresholds, which practices, PCNs and GP Federations can “buy into” to benefit from discounts under each agreement. 

Practices and PCNs are encouraged to feed into the group via their GP Federation representatives (see table 1 below), ensuring that local priorities are reflected while benefiting from the savings, consistency, and support that at-scale procurement can deliver.

To date, the buying group has secured an NCL-wide agreement for FeNO consumables as part of the respiratory diagnostics programme. Current priorities include products and services such as Ardens (including Ardens Manager), Healthtech-1 for automated patient registrations, occupational health services including new starter screening, and basic life support training. The buying group is also working closely with the NCL Digital Innovation Group to ensure a joined-up approach across the system for digital products of interest to primary care. 

As the group continue to strengthen it’s role and direction, they would greatly value your input. Share your views on how the group can best support practices and suggest any products or services you feel should be considered for at-scale procurement. You can do this via your GP Federation representative or by contacting Irodotos Nikolaidis, GPPA Head of Programmes.

Table 1. At-scale buying group membership

To help understand the value this buying group can provide to practices, they are seeking information on which digital products are being piloted or purchased by practices or PCNs.