Vital standards for a stronger and safer supply chain in the NHS

In this article for Public Sector FOCUS magazine, Glen Hodgson, Head of Healthcare at GS1 UK, examines the healthcare supply chain in the UK and how standardisation is vital in helping the NHS increase efficiencies.

In an environment where the NHS is under increasing pressure to provide more for less, the billions of pounds that we hear are wasted on preventable errors and inefficiencies can also put patient safety at risk, increase pressure on healthcare professionals and even subject Trusts to costly negligence claims. Glen’s article examines the healthcare supply chain and the benefits that GS1 standards can bring.

As part of the eProcurement strategy, they provide the foundation for three core enablers that improve patient safety, deliver stronger regulatory compliance and drive efficiencies. Using GS1 standards allows NHS Acute Trusts to achieve complete traceability throughout the supply chain and true interoperability between people and systems.