Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has rolled out its updated Contrast Media including Injectors and Associated Products framework agreement.

In its Autumn Budget, the government announced new funding to kickstart the delivery of an extra two million NHS operations, scans and appointments a year in a bid to significantly cut waiting lists and reduce waiting times across England, allocating £1.5bn for new surgical hubs and scanners, alongside £70 million for new radiotherapy machines.

Contrast media are used to improve pictures of the inside of the body during medical imaging procedures like CT, MRI, X-ray or ultrasound examinations. Sometimes referred to as dye, a contrast agent is given to the patient ahead of a procedure, to help enhance and show more detailed images. 

With the continued growth in the number of imaging tests required, and elective recovery at the forefront, clinicians need to be equipped to diagnose patients quickly and efficiently.

Free to use and cost-effective, NHS SBS’s solution is available to contracting authorities in NHS organisations across the UK who seek to buy contrast materials from pre-approved suppliers. The framework agreement provides them with a convenient route to do so, quickly and compliantly.  
NHS SBS’s framework agreement covers ionic iodine and non-ionic iodine for use in radiology, MRI, CT scans and x-rays, and provides access to a comprehensive range of contrast media products including injectors and associated products. 

The Contrast Media including Injectors and Associated Products framework agreement’s two Lots (categories) comprise: 

Lot 1: Contrast media

  • Ionic iodine-based contrast media for use in all relevant procedures 
  • Non-ionic iodine-based contrast media (including high and low osmolarity) for use in all relevant procedures 
  • Paramagnetic contrast media for use in all relevant procedures 
  • Specialist contrast media products including but not limited to: 
    • Contrast agents for gastro-intestinal examinations including barium sulphate (includes lower GI tract exam media) 
    • Oral Contrast Media for GI tract and CT scans 
    • Ultrasound contrast agents 

The sub lots:

  • Lot 1a – CT contrast media – for all products which are used in conjunction with a CT scanner 
  • Lot 1b – MRI contrast media – for all products which are used in conjunction with MRI scanners 
  • Lot 1c – X-Ray contrast media – for all products used in conjunction with X-Ray equipment 
  • Lot 1d – Ultrasound contrast media – for all products used in conjunction with Ultrasound equipment 

Lot 2: Injectors and associated products

  • Injectors (including service and maintenance). 
  • Consumables and associated products. 

NHS SBS’s Contrast Media including Injectors and Associated Products framework agreement runs until 25 March 2028. 

For more information, contact the NHS SBS team at: sbs.hello@nhs.net 

For more information about NHS SBS framework agreements click: Framework Agreements | NHS SBS