New ARTP Sleep Position Statement

Benefits of Multi-Supplier Procurement within Adult Sleep Services

01 June 2026

---

This position statement, produced by the ARTP Sleep Committee, sets out the case for adopting a multi‑supplier procurement model for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices and consumables within adult NHS sleep services. CPAP therapy is a clinically effective, NICE‑recommended, long‑term treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea and related sleep‑disordered breathing conditions, and therefore requires a procurement approach that ensures reliability, flexibility, and patient‑centred care.

The document argues that reliance on a single supplier exposes sleep services to unnecessary clinical, operational, and financial risks, as highlighted during the COVID‑19 pandemic and through historical device recalls. Procuring from at least two suppliers strengthens service resilience, ensures continuity of therapy, and provides a built-in contingency in the event of supply shortages, manufacturing delays, or safety notices.
 
A multi‑supplier approach also enhances the ability of services to meet individual patient needs, offering access to a broader range of devices, mask interfaces, algorithms, humidification options, and accessibility features. This flexibility supports personalised care, improves patient comfort and adherence, and is particularly beneficial for patients with complex anatomy, disability, or dexterity challenges. In parallel, healthy competition between suppliers promotes technological innovation, improved device performance, and enhanced digital solutions such as remote monitoring.
 
From a value perspective, multi‑supplier procurement encourages competitive pricing, more favourable contract terms, and better long‑term value for money, while reducing the risk of cost escalation or degraded service quality associated with supplier dependency. It also supports workforce development by ensuring clinical teams maintain expertise across multiple CPAP platforms, improving troubleshooting, device selection, and patient confidence.

The statement aligns multi‑supplier procurement with the NHS Long Term Plan, particularly its focus on personalised and digitally enabled care, and highlights the importance of considering sustainability and device lifecycle impacts in line with NHS Net Zero ambitions.
 
ARTP formally recommends that NHS sleep services procure CPAP equipment from at least two suppliers, while emphasising that all devices must meet ARTP technical and performance standards to ensure patient safety and treatment effectiveness. Local procurement governance and contractual implications should be considered in collaboration with trust procurement teams. Overall, the document concludes that a multi‑supplier approach is essential to safeguarding patient care, service resilience, and the long‑term sustainability of CPAP provision in adult sleep services.

Click here to read the position statement

View other News