HSJ writes that leaked proposals say the UK NHS’s buying power for goods and services worth up to £10bn could be taken away from individual trusts and placed in central teams. The proposals, drawn up by consultancy firm Deloitte and some NHS procurement professionals, call for a centre-led approach whereby national teams would be set up to create buying strategies for individual categories; currently NHS trusts have autonomy over how they buy goods and services. A spokesman for the Health Care Supply Association (HCSA), which represents NHS procurement staff, said there is an “important role” for trust-based procurement staff, and warned “change cannot be imposed – it needs to be co-delivered.” Read more on HSJ and as always do read the comments too.
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