BOC Healthcare wins NHS Scotland medical gases contract

BOC Healthcare, the UK's largest medical gases business, has announced that it made its first delivery of compressed medical gas to NHS hospitals in Scotland on 3rd February, marking the start of its new contract to supply medical gases to over 330 customers from Shetland down to the Scottish Borders.

BOC Healthcare, which is part of BOC, a member of The Linde Group, won the four year contract (with an option to extend for a further year) after a lengthy tender process. The contract covers the supply of all medical gases cylinders to 144 Scottish Hospitals and a number of community based health centres in the 14 Health Boards in Scotland and sees BOC Healthcare taking on the business of the previous supplier. The first delivery was made to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and a four-month transition period has now begun which will see more than 30,000 cylinders swapped over.

Commenting on the contract, Andrew Harvey, Head of BOC Healthcare, said: "Our experience as a medical gases supplier has given us a deep understanding of the needs of medical gas users. BOC has a well-earned reputation for reliable delivery and strong contingency planning as well as our robust and intuitive cylinder tracking. We look forward to providing our new customers with a first-class service."

Image 1.  Elton Chapman, Hospitalcare Sales Manager with Rachel Wilson, the Trust's Principal Pharmacist receiving delivery of BOC medical gas cylinders                               

Image 2. Michael Winer, Hospitalcare Account Manager, changing over a HELIOX cylinder at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's Respiratory Ward