Eschmann

Eschmann on BBC Radio 4

As part of a File on 4 investigation into NHS Procurement Jenny Cuffe from BBC’s Radio 4 interviewed Eschmann Managing Director, Philip Kennedy.

Radio 4 Article

The pressure on the Department of Health (DoH) to make substantial savings in NHS prompts the question of how this can best be achieved. The idealised system of centralised procurement channels like the NHS Supply Chain in England are seen by some as the answer to this question. However after nearly 5 years many still question the value that Supply Chain actually delivers.

There is some acceptance that for some more straight forward purchases such as surgical gloves a central procurement channel may provide good cost savings. However where more technical and complicated equipment purchases are involved there is still a need for clinicians to speak to company representatives for the knowledge and advice they can provide for more informed purchase decisions to be made.

The programme perhaps poses more questions than it answers but makes for interesting listening. The truth will only really become clear as the Foundation Hospital Trusts get to grips with the ownership of their budgets.

To read more and listen to the File on 4 investigation visit the Radio 4 website.

 

 

Added: 02/10/2011