Patient Safety Awards 2016: Procurement - Patient Safety

Winner: Lymphoedema Network Wales

There are 10,000 people with lymphoedema – chronic swelling – in Wales and a lot of them need to wear compression garments to control the condition.

This project sought to standardise procurement and to improve outcomes for patients who can be harmed by ill-fitting or poor quality garments. It reasoned that all patients should be supplied with good quality garments.

It has sought to achieve these aims through developing a National Lymphoedema Contract and a National Lymphoedema Formulary for Wales. Procurement worked with national clinical leads and with patients on a national procurement exercise.

There are 10,000 people with lymphoedema in Wales and a lot of them need to wear compression garments to control the condition

The payback has been double - £135,000 saved and assurance that all garments prescribed or recommended are fit for purpose and not leading to harm for patients.

The judges said: “This change cost nothing and showed what passionate, inspiring clinicians and procurement professionals can do when they involve patients. It is an excellent project, well delivered and now looking to disseminate across UK and internationally.”