Strengthening European Healthcare Procurement:
The Role of Country Nodes
in the PROCURE Project

By RESAH

A Vision for Resilient Healthcare Procurement

The PROCURE project is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union, involving 24 partners across 11 Member States. Launched in response to challenges highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project aims to revolutionise healthcare procurement practices by making them more resilient, efficient, and transparent. By addressing gaps in procurement strategies, PROCURE seeks to ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems, improve patient outcomes, and foster innovation.

At the heart of this initiative is the creation of "Country Nodes," a unique approach to building networks of healthcare organisations within Member States to gather data, share knowledge, and contribute to transformative policy recommendations.

What is a Country Node?

A Country Node represents a collaborative network of healthcare organisations within a Member State. These networks have been instrumental in driving the project’s Observational Study on the European Healthcare & Procurement Environment. Each node comprises four main groups of stakeholders:

  • Healthcare Institutions: Ministries of Health and other national or regional organisations central to healthcare policy and delivery.

  • Contracting Authorities: Public hospitals and Central Purchasing Bodies adhering to EU Public Procurement directives.

  • Private Procurers: Private-sector healthcare providers and procurement bodies outside the scope of EU directives.

  • Suppliers: Diverse suppliers, including large corporations, SMEs, and startups, providing goods and services to the healthcare sector.

Building the Country Nodes

Between December 2023 and June 2024, Country Leaders in ten Member States developed their Country Nodes using structured engagement strategies, including:

  1. Targeted Communication: A dedicated leaflet helped engage healthcare organisations, explaining the benefits of participation and the process of joining a Country Node.

  2. Collaboration with Key Networks: Partnerships with organisations like MedTech Europe and the European Union of Private Hospitals amplified outreach efforts.

  3. Interactive Activities: Webinars, focus groups, and meetings provided platforms for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

  4. Data Collection through Questionnaires: Membership required completing a detailed questionnaire to contribute to the Observational Study.

Benefits of Joining a Country Node

Participation in the Country Nodes and the broader PROCURE project provides several advantages to healthcare organisations, including:

  • Influencing Policy: Contributing to recommendations aimed at improving EU healthcare procurement policies and practices.

  • Recognition: Gaining visibility as leaders in procurement practices, with an opportunity to share lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Networking Opportunities: Building connections within a European network of healthcare and procurement stakeholders, fostering future collaboration.

Results and Achievements

The Observational Study, supported by the participation of 148 healthcare organisations across ten Member States, has yielded valuable insights into procurement practices. These organisations include:

  • 57 Contracting Authorities (subject to EU Public Procurement directives).

  • 17 Private Procurers.

  • 9 Healthcare Institutions.

  • 65 Suppliers.

This collaborative effort has not only provided a comprehensive understanding of the procurement environment but also created a foundation for evidence-based policy recommendations.

Shaping the Future of Healthcare Procurement

The establishment of Country Nodes demonstrates the PROCURE project’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in healthcare procurement. By uniting diverse stakeholders, the project ensures that healthcare procurement evolves to meet the challenges of the future, reinforcing the resilience and efficiency of healthcare systems across the European Union.

As PROCURE project continues to advance its mission, the insights gained from Country Nodes will play a crucial role in shaping a more robust and sustainable healthcare procurement landscape.