February 22, 2016 Industry news
The value of GS1 standards to NHS Trusts across England outlined in Lord Carter’s final report
Last week, Lord Carter released his final report into operational productivity and performance in English NHS Acute Trusts. We welcome the report and are delighted to see that Lord Carter continues to highlight the value GS1 standards can bring to the NHS. GS1 standards implementation is referenced specifically in the report through:
- the eProcurement strategy
- data transparency supporting the NHS Purchasing Price Index
- electronic prescribing and medicines administration
Across all three of these areas, NHS hospitals across England are set to benefit from the mandatory adoption of GS1 coding and PEPPOL messaging standards. The announcement of six demonstrator sites in January this year accelerates the impact that GS1 standards will have in improving patient safety, ensuring greater regulatory compliance and driving operational efficiencies.
Lord Carter’s final report recognises that GS1 standards form a vital part of the collaboration needed across Trusts, and their suppliers, to build an effective system for looking after their supply chain, their inventory and their patients. Overall, Lord Carter estimates that hospitals across England could save an estimated £5bn by reducing unwarranted variations through changes such as the implementation of GS1 standards.
We’re proud to be working with the Department of Health, NHS Trusts and their suppliers to make sure that they fulfil their role in implementing GS1 standards, as outlined in Lord Carter’s final report. We look forward to working closely with all of them to greatly improve the quality and safety of care.”
Glen Hodgson, Head of Healthcare, GS1 UK
All six demonstrator sites will be attending our conference in April, and it’ll be a great opportunity to find out everything you need to know about GS1, as well as hearing from other Trusts and suppliers about their plans for implementation.
GS1 standards are a fundamental part of our strategy for building a safer and more efficient NHS, and GS1 leads at NHS trusts have a key role to play in their implementation. Attendance at the GS1 UK Healthcare Conference 2016 will enable you to join colleagues and peers to learn about best GS1 implementation practice from other NHS Trusts and GS1 experts.”
Pat Mills, Commercial Director, Department of Health