Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
NHS England's procurement data is incomplete, impacting accuracy of savings estimates.
Conclusion
The data NHSE collects is incomplete, as 55 trusts (out of more than 200) do not routinely provide this data. When we asked NHSE about the completeness of the data, NHSE told us it is working with trusts that are not routinely submitting and considering what other actions and levers it might have available to require people to submit in a timely fashion. It confirmed that one consequence of incomplete returns is that it has to make an estimate of the value of potential procurement savings and recognised that there is more it can do to improve the quality of data.21 20 Qq 72–75; C&AG’s Report, para 2.13 21 Qq 76–79 12 NHS Supply Chain and efficiencies in procurement 2 Improving the business for the future NHS Supply Chain’s transformation programme
Government Response Summary
The government states the recommendation is implemented, explaining that NHSE already challenges trusts on procurement data usage and provides the NHS Spend Comparison Service to give trusts insights into purchasing opportunities.
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.