The reform is about modernising our procurement and supply chain to make it more efficient, transparent, and data driven. This ensures NSW Health can deliver the best value for money and, most importantly, support better patient care across the state.

• Reduced duplication of catalogue updates across entities
• More consistent product data across NSW Health
• Improved ability to support NSW Health staff and patients
• Streamline our process to make it more efficient for suppliers.

No. We will contact you directly when specific actions or system interactions are needed.

Yes, in the future. Tenders and sourcing activities will be managed through the Sourcing & Contracts solution. This will improve visibility, tracking, and communication during the tender process. You will be guided on how to access and use the system when it becomes relevant to you.

Some compliance processes may become more streamlined and digitised - for example, new data compliance standards in the product and pricing schedules - but not necessarily more burdensome. The goal is to reduce duplication and manual work, while ensuring NSW Health has accurate information to meet governance, audit, and patient-safety obligations.

No. The changes are designed to benefit all suppliers, regardless of size. In fact, clearer data and simplified processes will help smaller suppliers engage more easily and consistently with NSW Health.

No, standard NSW Health payment terms remain the same. If any changes occur in future, suppliers will be notified well in advance.

Yes. StaffLink (Oracle) remains in use as the NSW Health ERP. The SmartChain solutions integrate with existing systems like StaffLink, they do not replace them.

Yes, over time catalogue and contract data may need to meet new data standards so it can flow into Dataflow and Sourcing & Contracts. Technical specifications and templates will be shared in advance to give you time to prepare. The first change will be to some existing statewide contract product and pricing schedules, later in 2025.

Yes. If required, NSW Health and HealthShare NSW will provide guidance, training materials, and support as new processes are introduced. We will ensure you have the information and tools needed to adapt smoothly.

Existing contracts remain valid. Over time, they will be migrated into the new Sourcing & Contracts system, which will be NSW Health’s centralised contract repository. We will provide any relevant instructions and timelines before migration impacts your organisation.

Not immediately. The reform is rolling out in phases. Any future changes to purchase orders or invoicing processes will be communicated in advance, with clear supplier instructions.

Your current vendor registration in StaffLink remains valid. Over time, some supplier master data may be cleansed and updated to improve accuracy, but this will not affect your ability to transact with NSW Health.

Whole-of-Government contracts continue to apply where relevant.

LHDs and SHNs will transition to using the new SmartChain solutions for procurement and contract management. For suppliers, this means more consistency across all NSW Health entities with streamlined and standardised systems and processes.

No new agreements are required at this stage. If new user access, or portal arrangements are introduced, these will be clearly communicated.

No. There are no usage fees for suppliers. This is a NSW Health investment in improving systems and processes.

Data security is a top priority. All NSW Health solutions are built and hosted in accordance with NSW Government’s strict cyber security standards. Supplier data will only be used for legitimate procurement, contract, and supply chain purposes.

Yes. With Dataflow centralising product catalogues and Sourcing & Contracts managing agreements statewide, suppliers should experience fewer duplicate requests for the same information.

Over time, improved data and visibility will support better demand forecasting by NSW Health. This may help suppliers with forward planning and inventory management. Purchase volumes themselves will always be driven by patient demand.

Initial supplier impacts will begin with the Dataflow solution, as catalogue data becomes centralised. The rollout is happening in phases and you will be notified with clear timelines before you need to act.

This means we may need to collaborate with certain suppliers to clarify and confirm some data requirements.

Example changes include:

• For some Whole of Health (statewide) contracts a new product and pricing schedule will be made available soon (we will be contacting impacted suppliers about any changes required). Until you need to complete new tender, submit a variation, or unless we share the new schedule with you, you do not need to take any action right now.

During the statewide tendering process, the new PnP schedule (if applicable for the relevant contract) is provided to suppliers as part of the tender documentation to be completed and submitted together with the tender documents. Instructions on how to complete the template will be available soon.

Follow your contract procedure and please contact your HealthShare NSW category/contract manager.

Follow your normal process; for example, if you are submitting a variation, please contact your HealthShare NSW category/contract manager.

You will not need to act unless we contact you.

HealthShare NSW will contact you directly with clear instructions if your catalogue, contract, or product line is included in an early rollout phase. Updates will also be published on our website.

Integration with NPC is part of our future roadmap for Dataflow. We will inform suppliers when this integration takes place. In the meantime, we urge suppliers to ensure the data they publish in NPC for NSW Health is as accurate and complete as possible. For our initial go-live later this year, our existing processes for capturing product information will remain unchanged.

SmartChain’s integrated systems will improve product traceability and recall management. For implantables and high-risk devices, Traceability can track item usage to patient procedures and order items in one step. This is helping to reduce risk and make response quicker.

The Traceability solution focuses on implantable devices and high-risk medical products. For suppliers in this space, it means product information can be linked to patient procedures and ordered items in one step, ensuring safety and compliance. If your catalogue is impacted, you will receive further information as and when required.