§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what response his Department has made to the Audit Commission's report, "Improving Supplies Management in National Health Service trusts"; and what decisions have been made by Her Majesty's Government in relation to potential savings outlined in the report. [10754]
§ Mr HoramIt will be for national health service trusts to respond to the specific recommendations made by their external auditors, who are appointed and regulated by the Audit Commission, following local audits based on the good practice recommendations in the report. The Department fully supports the report's emphasis on the importance of good supplies management and its relevance to quality patient care, and we particularly welcome the Audit Commission's call for senior trust management to take a more active interest in this area.
The potential savings quoted in the report were derived from a small sample of trusts. The examples quoted were historic and the figures therefore do not take account of improvements since made in this area.