NHS procurement demonstrator sites: what’s next?

Nicola Hall, managing director at Ingenica Solutions, the company behind the first GS1 certified inventory management solution in healthcare, explains what she believes is the next crucial step following the announcement of the NHS procurement demonstrator sites.

Jeremy Hunt has now announced the six GS1 demonstrator sites that are set to receive investment of £12m in electronic procurement systems, and expected to deliver up to £800m in efficiency savings; this is a step towards improvement and steers the NHS in the right direction. It’s no secret that the NHS falls behind the commercial sector in utilising solutions and data standards to gain efficiency on the bottom line, particularly in the back office arena, so the demonstrator sites are a key element in helping to bring the sector up to the level needed. So how can we build on this? Where do we go from here?

I see the next necessary phase as going above and beyond the demonstrator sites; expanding the objectives of this initiative further. To ensure GS1 adoption throughout the NHS in the earliest time frame, which is in the interests of everyone and essential to future success, placing a fully trained GS1 specialist into every trust across the country would help all trusts reach a minimum standard. It would also enable the programme to gain real pace as it would facilitate a consistent approach across the board, allow focus on the key issues to be maintained, and also encourage learning to be shared between the specialists.

Trusts continue to work towards the GS1 objectives, and at this point in time it remains open in terms of which one will be the first to fully achieve the targets. All are at different stages of implementing GS1 standards, and by taking this approach and having a dedicated specialist on-site, it is an opportunity to close the growing divide between those trusts that are at the top of game and those at the beginning. Infact, in order to meet the Government’s timescales, all trusts must begin their journey now.

Picture this; an onsite skilled specialist tasked with managing and leading a trust’s GS1 strategy. They would identify opportunities, and strive to reach the standards on target through more rapid decision-making, engage the workforce in the changes, and much more.

It would be of particular benefit to have regional working groups; where each trust perhaps specialised in an element of GS1, be it inventory management, patient identification, or global location numbers, so that the rest of the groups can learn from the others as experts in that region.

Trusts vary considerably, whether a main London teaching hospital, or a more local regional hospital, the challenges are different and may need a different approach. It would be beneficial, and facilitate greater progress if similar trusts could work together to understand their specific challenges.

The advantages of professional knowledge and expertise available to all is vast; it’s a cost-effective, efficient move which by making the process more tightly controlled and productive could reduce the time spent on achieving the standards. Ultimately it could lead to improved outcomes, and catapult trusts to the next level; a GS1 specialist in every trust is the next step.

Article has been provided by Ingenica Solutions

Ingenica Solutions has a proven track record in delivering focused IT solutions in the areas of procurement, supply chain and inventory management, bringing significant benefits to the NHS and the challenging healthcare environment.

Ingenica has been formed by a cohesive team that have all had clear and demonstrable success as thought leaders and practical project leaders in this area previously. The experienced Ingenica team have proven backgrounds in commerce, finance, procurement, supply chain management, information technology, software development and project management. All have had significant experience in both the Public and Private sector and have previously pioneered the delivery of Microsoft based solutions into the NHS.

The Ingenica Healthcare solution is developed within the Microsoft Dynamics platform. The solution enables a phased approach to implementation, configured to meet not only the current supply chain maturity of customers, but with a proven development and functionality road map. This ensures enhancements to capability continue well into the future and are scalable to meet future demand.

Ingenica is being extensively backed by professional Private Equity and as a Microsoft Partner is engaged closely with their Dynamics Product Group and Health Sector teams.

For more information please visit www.ingenicasolutions.co.uk