Provision of Pharmacy Services

Kent Community Health NHS Trust (KCHFT) and Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust (KMMH) are publishing this UK2: Preliminary Market Engagement Notice on 15th May 2026 to invite expressions of interest from suppliers to participate in a market engagement exercise relating to the provision of a complete pharmaceutical supply services for both inpatient and community services across the two Trusts. Since 2022, Kent and Medway NHS Mental Health Trust (KMMH) and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) have collaboratively procured pharmacy services across both organisations.

This joint approach builds on an established partnership, enabling a system-wide model that maximises the effective use of resources, strengthens local relationships, and enhances service delivery across both Trusts. The overarching aim of the pharmacy supply service is to provide a safe, efficient, and patient-centred medicines supply function that supports high-quality clinical care across inpatient, rehabilitation, and community settings.

The service is designed to: • Ensure timely, accurate, and reliable dispensing and supply of medicines to meet the needs of patients and services. • Support safe and effective medicines management in line with legal, regulatory, and professional standards. • Enable continuity of care through responsive and flexible supply arrangements, including urgent and out-of-hours provision. • Reduce medicines waste and optimise resource utilisation through stock management, recycling, and redistribution processes. • Support digital transformation through integration with Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems. • Provide specialist services, including clozapine dispensing, in alignment with national monitoring requirements and local clinical pathways and the provision of over labelling of medicines. • Contribute to workforce development through the training and support of pre-registration/foundation pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. • Ensure robust financial and clinical governance through accurate data reporting, audit, and management of national medicines alerts. The service will work in partnership with clinical teams to ensure medicines optimisation, improve patient outcomes, and support the evolving needs of mental health and community healthcare services.

KCHFT will act as the lead authority for the procurement of these services. An engagement presentation is scheduled for 10 am on 8th June 2026.

This will be by Microsoft Teams and not in person. The presentation will outline the Trusts' objectives for the service, anticipated timelines, and expectations for the procurement process. It will also provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions and offer feedback to the Trusts.