The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT(UK)) alongside NHS England are celebrating a successful first five months of their joint programme which provides learning and development opportunities for NHS logistics and materials management colleagues.
Launched back in early November 2024 at the annual Health Care Supply Association (HCSA) Conference, the NHS-CILT(UK) Learning and Development Academy has the potential to offer over 1100 NHS staff tailored learning solutions around NHS operations. The Academy has already supported over 600 NHS colleague enrolments onto the programme.
Preeya Bailie, Director of Central Commercial Function, is a big advocate of the programme and explained: “Ensuring our community in logistics and procurement have access to professional learning and development is a key priority for NHS England. Since launching the NHS – CILT(UK) Learning & Development Academy, we have received overwhelming support from both learners and trusts who recognise the value this community delivers. The aim of the Academy has always been to provide the same learning and development opportunities to any member of staff in our logistics and materials management teams who want to pursue this. We are thrilled with the uptake and benefits we are seeing in our workforce”
All the learning delivered is tailored around NHS activity. Contextualised modular learning are CILT(UK)’s most sought after programmes, as they account for organisational structure and strategy, the interconnectivity of supply chain operational functions and the professional development needs of team members.
Feedback from NHS colleagues includes: “My most significant takeaway is a deeper understanding of how the broader supply chain network can profoundly impact the services we provide. Additionally, learning about the strategies employed to prevent disruptions or compromise in patient care has proven beneficial”.
Shaun Fardy, CILT(UK) Director of Service Delivery, added: "This collaboration between NHS England and CILT(UK) is a landmark investment in the professional development of NHS material management and logistics staff. And now, five months later, we can already see the relationship bearing fruit.
"By promoting best practice and recognised professional standards with NHS operational needs, we’re building a strategic foundation that empowers staff, drives technical innovation, and strengthens organisational resilience.
“This partnership paves the way for the NHS to achieve its objectives through a skilled, agile materials management and logistics workforce, ensuring that vital services continue to meet the highest standards for patients across the country."
The programme aligned with CILT(UK)’s strategy of ‘Professionalising the Profession’ represents the Institute’s mission of ensuring and retaining that visibility and work in the logistics, transport and supply chain sectors does not go unnoticed. This was further informed by the CILT(UK) team visiting 10 hospitals across the country in December 2023, spending time with NHS leadership teams and supply chain practitioners and professionals.
Fiona Palmer, Head of Professional Standards at CILT (UK), added: “We are very pleased with the results and uptake over the last five months and can only see things getting better and better. We know how important this relationship is and look forward to it growing.”
The programme is specifically aligned with the Institute’s professional standards and is fully funded by NHS England.