CIPS HPA improves organisational maturity in public healthcare procurement

The diagnostic is a critical part of the CIPS HPA methodology and provides the foundation for the subsequent steps. It follows the established CIPS Procurement Excellence framework. The diagnostic framework provides an interlinked set of criteria for best practice, structured across five dimensions: Leadership and Organisation; Strategy and Policy; People; Processes and Systems.

The five best practice dimensions house 103 individual criteria which are aggregated to 23 subject areas for CIPS HPA. The organisation is scored against each of the 23 subject areas and these scores are aggregated into an average overall score, which denotes the organisation’s overall procurement performance, along a 5-point scale.

2.

The diagnostic report is discussed with key stakeholders and used to develop a detailed improvement plan to address gaps identified. The improvement plan uses the CIPS structured procurement framework for planning, implementing and monitoring procurement activities along the procurement cycle.

The framework identifies 13 core activities along three key stages: Pre-procurement; Sourcing and Contract and Supplier Management.  From procurement strategy development and market analysis to supplier contracts. 

3.

CIPS HPA provides technical assistance in implementing the improvement plan, working with healthcare procurement staff to transfer knowledge and skills to ensure sustainable impact. Key areas of support across the three countries supported have included:

• Supplier relationship management
• Category management
• Development of price indices and support in integrating indexed price ceilings into tender reviews
• Development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures
• Debt reduction through better working capital management

4.

CIPS HPA supports staff in public healthcare procurement organisations to complete a range of the CIPS qualification levels starting at CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations and moving to CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations, and CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply - the first level qualification in achieving full MCIPS membership.

CIPS HPA supports healthcare procurement staff in assessing their current level of excellence, using a CIPS self-assessment tool, and helps them develop an individual learning plan, which may include bespoke skills training related to the procurement entity.  

CIPS HPA provides an open-access knowledge hub, which contains 36 Learning Pathways, and over 240 technical resources on procurement practice tailored to the specific requirements of health sector procurement. HPA uses this online forum to curate discussion among members and provide targeted training sessions based on topics of common interest.

CIPS HPA hosts regular interactive best practice Webinars that support staff in achieving their learning goals. 

CIPS HPA can  work with existing training organisations and local universities to become CIPS approved study centres and provide qualifications by CIPS certified trainers. These institutions can progress to becoming CIPS-approved exam centres, ensuring sustainability in country in the continued professionalisation of procurement staff to a global standard.