New central list for hospital supplies 'to save £500m'

[Northerner]

A new central procurement list for NHS England aimed at ensuring hospitals get the best price for supplies could help save £500m, the government says.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the "radical" move would ensure every penny of the health budget was spent wisely.

A "procurement tsar" will produce the list - made up of prices negotiated and set between the NHS and suppliers.

But Labour said the government's overhaul of the NHS had wasted millions and these plans would not change that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27179905

 

[AlisonM]

Ah yes, another wonderful wheeze. Great if they can make it work, but they'll undoubtedly cock it up... AGAIN. The number of times, the consulting firm I used to work for got called in to sort out HMG's messes for various departments (including the NHS) would make you cry if you knew about them all. They were usually caused by opting for the lowest bidder on any project (we never won them) and then having to call another bunch (usually us) to put out the fires. Heaven knows what it all costs but I seriously doubt there will be any real saving, especially when it comes to setting up the logistics chain. They should hire Amazon to do it. LOL.