Clinic Supply Guides

Practical resources to help clinic teams compare supplies, organise stock and prepare orders. These guides cover purchasing and stock administration; always follow the product manufacturer's instructions and your clinic's procedures.

Before you buy: compare the details that matter

Start with an itemised list rather than a product name alone. Record the exact product, variant, pack quantity and any size or specification you need. Similar names or packaging do not necessarily mean products are interchangeable.

  1. Check the unit. Distinguish a box from an individual item and compare the listed contents.
  2. Check the variant. Confirm the selected size or option before adding it to your basket.
  3. Check the information. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and product documentation relevant to your intended use. Ask for clarification where information is missing.
  4. Check availability and delivery. Plan around the delivery information at checkout rather than assuming an arrival date.
  5. Review the whole order. Check quantities, delivery details and total cost before payment.

Browse clinic consumables or the complete product range. Product selection and clinical suitability remain the responsibility of the appropriately qualified professional.

Receiving and storing supplies

Give each incoming order a clear receiving check. Compare the delivery with your order record, check the packaging and note the batch or lot number and expiry date where applicable. Keep purchase and delivery records together so the team can trace an item if a query arises.

If packaging is damaged, an item differs from your order or a storage condition may not have been met, set the affected items aside and contact the supplier before use. Follow your clinic's procedure for managing the issue.

Storage requirements differ between products. Follow the manufacturer’s labelled conditions for temperature, light, moisture and handling; this guide does not set universal storage temperatures. Keep original labels and instructions available, use clearly identified storage areas and arrange stock so expiry dates can be checked easily.

A simple stock-review routine

  • Choose a regular review time and a named person responsible for the count.
  • Record usable stock separately from items set aside, expired items and orders still in transit.
  • Check expiry dates and flag items that need attention under your clinic’s procedures.
  • Compare recent usage with supplier lead times before setting your reorder point.
  • Review slow-moving items before buying more and avoid ordering solely to reach a delivery threshold.
  • Record the order date, supplier and expected delivery, then close the record when the delivery is checked.

A simple planning calculation is average weekly usage multiplied by lead time in weeks, plus a buffer you choose for your clinic. For example, a fictional consumable used at 10 packs a week with a two-week lead time and a five-pack buffer has a reorder point of 25 packs. Adjust the inputs using your own records; this is an administrative example, not a recommendation for a particular product.

Need help with an order? Read our delivery information or contact our team.

How to compare pack sizes before ordering

Write down three separate figures: the contents of one item, the number of items in a pack and the number of packs you intend to buy. A volume such as 1ml describes an item; it does not tell you how many items are in the box.

Turn the listing into an order line

  • Product and variant: record the complete name and selected option, including any dimensions.
  • Pack contents: write “50 cannulas per box”, rather than simply “50”.
  • Order quantity: write “2 boxes”; the stock received would be 100 cannulas if the pack remains 50.

For example, our 14G × 90mm cannulas have single-item and box-of-50 options. Our 1ml insulin syringes, 30G × 8mm are listed as a box of 100. Always recheck the current listing before ordering.

Compare costs on the same basis

For identical specifications, divide the pack price by the number of items in that pack. A fictional box costing £40 for 20 items is £2 per item. Include applicable delivery charges and use the same tax basis when comparing quotations. A lower unit price does not establish product suitability or justify buying stock you cannot use.

For dermal fillers and skin boosters, keep the exact formulation and variant in your comparison. Different products or presentations should not be treated as equivalent simply because their volumes match.

A purchasing enquiry template for missing details

Use this checklist when a product listing leaves an important purchasing question unanswered. Send only the items relevant to your order; do not include patient information.

Hello, I am checking the following item before ordering: [product URL and exact variant]. Please confirm:

  • The quantity and volume or dimensions supplied per pack.
  • The manufacturer and product reference for this presentation.
  • Current availability, delivery options and any order cut-off that applies.
  • Where I can obtain the manufacturer’s storage and handling instructions.
  • How to raise an issue if the delivered item differs from the order.

My intended order is [number of packs]. Thank you.

Keep the reply with your purchasing record and check it against the delivery. Contact our team for questions about items on this website, or use our printable stock checklist to prepare the order.

Free printable stock checklist

Download our clinic stock checklist for your next stock review.