HL Deb 08 November 1999 vol 606 c125WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked. Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have had from emPOWER in regard to the Department of Health's proposed 3 per cent "efficiency savings" from trusts' procurement; and what action they will be taking. [HL4356]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

My honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Hutton) has received a letter on this subject from emPOWER. The Cabinet Office review of NHS procurement, which was published in June, recommended that each NHS trust should set a quantified and dated overall procurement efficiency improvement target. The Department of Health's public service agreement reiterates this and commits the department to monitoring the savings made. Health Service Circular HSC1999/143, which announced the publication of the review, asked NHS trusts to set targets for such savings of at least 3 per cent a year. Copies of the circular are available in the Library.