What is The Community Benefits Gateway?
Scotland spends approximately £2.5 billion on NHS goods and services every year, working with thousands of suppliers. The Community Benefits Gateway is a platform that matches the skills and resources of those suppliers with real community needs harnessing the power of procurement to improve lives, and create healthier, safer communities across Scotland.
How Does the Gateway Work?
You can access the portal at this link – https://nhsnss.service-now.com/community_benefit.
Once there, sign in with your organisations email address, and fill out all the required details. Sign up is free and open to all third sector and community groups. Once registered you can ‘submit a need’ and fill in an application form. You will need to provide information covering the specific support you require, and a delivery deadline date if applicable.
Once your need has been submitted it will be assessed by a panel of NHS Population Health representatives (supported by Third Sector Interface and Procurement colleagues) to ensure the need is relevant and benefits the local community. If your application is successful you will receive a confirmation email and your need will go live on the portal, meaning it will be visible to NHS suppliers, and they will be able to place a bid to fulfil it.
If your need is rejected you will receive an email confirmation with an explanation of why. You may amend your application resubmit for further review by the panel. You may also be contacted and asked to provide further information to support an application.
You can find a number of helpful resources here – https://www.nss.nhs.scot/procurement-and-logistics/governance-and-sustainability-services/access-our-community-benefit-gateway/
What Happens Next?
If all goes well your need will be added to the portal! Once your need goes live it will remain open for 1 year. If no bids are received in that time, it will be automatically declined. You may apply again if you wish to do so.
If your need attracts a bid, you will receive an email outlining what you need to do next. It is important to note that you must contact the supplier if you wish to negotiate or accept a bid. Once accepted the supplier will have six months to fulfil the bid.
What Can I Apply For?
Third sector groups can apply to the gateway for support with work placement opportunities, volunteering projects, environmental proposals, assistance with building community facilities, and more.
There are a number of case studies available that should clarify the needs that are appropriate for the portal.
If you have any further questions please contact either:
Sharon Young at Volunteer Centre East Lothian: syoung@volunteereastlothian.org.uk
Lorna Bellany at NHS Lothian: lorna.bellany@nhs.sco
