Specialist Calls For Improvements

A medical law expert at Irwin Mitchell has called on the NHS to react strongly to new research which highlights potential inefficiencies in the body’s supply chain.

According to the Commons Public Accounts Committee, there is currently ‘poor’ information available regarding what different trusts have bought, with further research suggesting discrepancies were leading to different types of similar products being purchased for the same hospitals.

It has already been suggested this year that up to £500 million annually may be being wasted due to poor systems for procurement and supply chain services.

Lisa Jordan, a Partner and medical law specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said it was vital that the NHS works as quickly as possible to address this issue and improve its spending efficiency.

She outlined: “We help a number of people whose lives have been turned upside down by injuries or problems which have emerged due to errors during their treatment in hospitals across the UK.

“There is a strong argument that a reduction in waste could play a vital role in freeing up more funds that can be used to improve the quality of equipment available to treat patients and also for investment in better training for medical staff in a range of disciplines.

“Better support is needed to ensure that the NHS can procure items in the most effective, transparent and efficient manner. This would undoubtedly ensure that the organisation can work to the best possible standard and, in turn, potentially help to increase patient safety across all hospitals.”