§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultancies have been engaged by the National Blood Authority; for what purposes; and at what cost in each case.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe National Blood Authority was established to tackle the acknowledged duplication of effort and inconsistency which previously existed. The authority operates with a small headquarters organisation, preferring to employ expert consultancies for limited592W periods to undertake particular tasks rather than increase its headquarters management posts. The following consultancies have been engaged by the headquarters of the National Blood Authority since its formation on 1 April 1993.
The proposals for the future structure of the transfusion centre network, if implemented in full, are expected to produce savings available to the National Health Service for improved blood collection and lower handling costs to hospitals for blood and blood products, for £10 million per year.
£ Bain & Co. To assist with a major review of Bio Products Laboratory 350,000 Bain & Co. To assist with a major strategic review of the Transfusion Service 682,000 Butler Bloor To review the Information Technology systems in place at all Regional Transfusion Centres 20,000 CSC To assist in the formulation and implementation of a new Information Technology strategy for the Transfusion Service 152,000 Fitch & Co To assist the Authority in formulating and implementing an identity and communications review 46,000 Comind To assist with the preparation of standard operating procedures in the Transfusion Service 7,000