Digital health transformation is no longer a future-facing aspiration for the NHS – it is a key priority outlined in its 10 Year Plan.
Solutions that enable virtual care, remote health monitoring and digitally enabled pathways are increasingly being commissioned at scale, and this is translating into more NHS tender opportunities for health tech providers.
At K Low Consulting, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of digital health tech companies coming to us to support them with tender bids for lucrative contracts with the NHS.
From pilot to procurement
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen providers of virtual health solutions that were being tested in local pilots, often funded through transformation budgets or discretionary funding pots, progress much quicker from pilot stage to being in a position to bid for NHS tenders.
Trends we are seeing with regards to health tech tenders, is that they often have a similar theme or outcome. For example, procurement activity often reflects operational pressures and/or strategic priorities within the NHS.
We’re seeing particular traction in areas where digital health tools can demonstrably deliver capacity relief and more effective care pathways, such as:
- Virtual wards and remote patient monitoring products and services to support early discharge and reduce inpatient pressures
- Long-term condition management tools or services (e.g. COPD, heart failure, diabetes) with real-time data feeding clinical oversight
- Remote outpatient follow-ups and triage, reducing unnecessary in-person appointments
What are commissioners looking for in heath tech tender bids?
Commissioners are looking, not just for products or services, but for solutions that can help the NHS in its digital transformation aims and that are also clinically safe and deliver measurable value.
As more health tech opportunities come to market, the bar is rising. Commissioners are looking for bidders who can demonstrate both technical capability and operational delivery.
Our experience working on successful NHS health tech tenders shows that almost all high-scoring submissions address these core expectations:
1. Integration
Commisioners want tools that share data safely and efficiently integrate across clinical systems, aligning with local digital roadmaps. Demonstrating how your solution supports NHS-standard interfaces and workflow integration is critical.
2. Information governance and clinical safety
Given the sensitive nature of health data, commissioners expect robust governance frameworks and evidence that your approach supports clinical safety and mitigates any risk of data breaches.
3. Outcomes and value
More tenders are explicitly asking for ‘quantifiable impact’ of the proposed product or service. This could be a reduction in admission numbers, demonstration of patient engagement metrics, or improved efficiency. Generic claims don’t score well. Commissioners want evidence and clear real-world outcomes.
4. Implementation and support
Technology alone doesn’t solve care challenges. Winning bidders need to articulate how they will mobilise the solution and train and support users and clinical teams throughout implementation and beyond.
If you need support with NHS health tech tender bids, we can help. To talk to a member of our team by calling 0330 133 8823 or emailing info@klowconsulting.com.