The National Health Service in Yorkshire and the Humber has become the latest high profile client for Ledgard Jepson.

Ledgard Jepson has been chosen to handle the communications for a new project from the NHS Yorkshire and the Humber Commercial Procurement Collaborative (YHCPC).

The Sheffield-based YHCPC exists to improve the way the health service in Yorkshire and the Humber buys in goods and services and at the same time, save money which can be redirected back into patient care.

The project ‘Growing the Region’s Businesses with NHS Investment’ (GRBNI) is the result of a partnership between the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority and the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. The initiative aims to encourage local small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to compete for NHS contracts locally with the aim of keeping more business within the region and boosting the local economy.

YHCPC wants to help support the local economy, secure and create job opportunities, develop skills and ultimately benefit the health of local people.

Ledgard Jepson’s communications team has developed a communications strategy for the project and the associated PR and media relations.

“We were delighted to have been successful in winning this prestigious commission as we were no doubt up against some tough competition,” said Steph Cunningham, Ledgard Jepson’s Head of Communications.

“This project is exciting and innovative and will really put the region on the map. We’re looking forward to shouting about the YHCPC and its work.”

Helena Fuller, Chief Operating Officer of YHCPC, added: “We are very proud of this unique project and are delighted with the work Ledgard Jepson has carried out so far in marketing it. We look forward to developing our partnership with Ledgard Jepson over the duration of the project.”

The YHCPC was established in 2007 to steer and focus procurement within the NHS community in the region. It is working across a wide range of procurement projects within the NHS with the aim of delivering value to the sum of £26m over the next three years. Its work focuses on procurement for health care service improvements, medical and non-medical goods and services sourced from outside of the NHS and works with NHS organisations in the region to offer a one-stop collaborative approach to procurement.