Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Use procurement data more systematically to challenge trusts to increase NHS Supply Chain purchases.
Conclusion
NHSE does not challenge trusts as to why they do not buy more products through NHS Supply Chain. Trusts submit data to NHSE on how much they spend on medical equipment and consumables, and through which suppliers (including NHS Supply Chain). NHSE makes this procurement data available to all trusts but relies on them to analyse the data and change their practices in response. Despite NHSE’s central role, it does not use this data to identify and generally challenge trusts as to why they do not purchase more using NHS Supply Chain. Instead, it told us it that, 6 NHS Supply Chain and efficiencies in procurement given its resources, it only challenges the trusts that are struggling most financially. In addition, NHSE does not analyse the data to identify what NHS Supply Chain could do differently to persuade trusts to use it more. It is disappointing that the information NHSE collects is also incomplete, as 55 trusts (out of more than 200) do not routinely provide this data. NHSE should work with trusts to improve the data available to it. Recommendation 3: NHSE needs to use procurement data more systematically to challenge trusts to buy more consumables and medical equipment through NHS Supply Chain.
Government Response Summary
The government states that NHSE already uses procurement data to challenge trusts on their use of NHS Supply Chain when prices are better, and also challenges NHS Supply Chain on pricing. They highlight the existing NHS Spend Comparison Service tool for providing insights to trusts.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented NHSE already uses procurement data to challenge trusts who are not using NHS SC where NHS SC is the better price, and NHS England also challenge NHS SC to ensure they are delivering the best price for the NHS. The NHS Spend Comparison Service is a tool which takes spend data from Trusts in order to provide insights back to them on the cost of products that they purchase from NHS SC and directly from suppliers, highlighting opportunities where additional efficiencies may be possible.