HL Deb 15 December 1986 vol 483 cc93-4WA
Lord Belwin

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made by the group set up to consider further improvement in NHS support for industrial competitiveness.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)

As part of the responsibilities for National Health Service procurement matters which I have recently assumed, I now chair the group to which the noble Lord refers. On the advice of the group, whose establishment was reported in another place on 25th March at cols. 459–460, the NHS Procurement Directorate has proposed an action programme to help ensure that the NHS can continue to look to a strong internationally competitive United Kingdom industry in the future. With the approval of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and the support of all regional health authorities, an extensive range of actions is now being implemented in all NHS regions. As part of these actions:

—top NHS managment in all regions will put its weight behind, and initiate new, efforts to raise awareness of staff at all levels of how important a strong United Kingdom industrial base is for the economy and hence for the financing of the NHS. The intention to look for ways of enhancing the competitiveness of industry consistent with value for money will be written into authorities' organisational aims and management plans.

—steps will be taken by NHS authorities to broaden competition in NHS supplies by ensuring that all possible United Kingdom suppliers are asked to bid for contracts.

—NHS authorities will seek to improve their dialogue with suppliers on needs, problems and ways of overcoming them. Further guidance to be developed by the NHS Procurement Directorate on de-briefing of unsuccessful tenderers and other aspects of the Government's Public Purchasing Policy will assist in this.

—information for decision-makers will be improved to help ensure better NHS equipment replacement programmes and option appraisals, recognition of opportunities for improving United Kingdom value-added in purchases, identification of vulnerable areas of United Kingdom industry competitiveness, and wider appreciation of new products and technology and their costs and benefits.