This site is intended for health professionals only

Wide variation in hospital procurement spending

Wide variation in hospital procurement spending
25 July 2014



Wide variation in the amount hospitals pay for items like catheters, gloves and needles has been reported by a new tool from the Department of Health. 
The NHS Procurement Atlas of Variation can be used to help hospitals compare prices, working out where they need to drive down costs. 
The Department of Health believes this will lead to more investment in doctors and nurses, as well as in frontline care. 

Wide variation in the amount hospitals pay for items like catheters, gloves and needles has been reported by a new tool from the Department of Health. 
The NHS Procurement Atlas of Variation can be used to help hospitals compare prices, working out where they need to drive down costs. 
The Department of Health believes this will lead to more investment in doctors and nurses, as well as in frontline care. 
According to Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter, the tool is part of a promise to improve the way the NHS buys goods, equipment and services to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent efficiently. 
He said: “We are delivering on our promise to improve the way our NHS buys goods, equipment and services to make sure taxpayers’ money is spent efficiently and more money is available to look after patients.
“Our new league tables will make the NHS a more open and better place in which to do business, for small and medium sized businesses. Improving procurement practices is about making sure that money is going where it needs to, on patients and not down the drain.” 
The tool is available to view online

Want news like this straight to your inbox?

Related articles