HC Deb 23 June 1980 vol 987 cc61-2W
Mr. Iain Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet in a position to make a further statement about a supply council for the National Health Service.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I have today laid before Parliament an order under section 11 of the National Health Service Act 1977 establishing the Health Service Supply Council, together with associated regulations.

I am glad to say that Mr. Bernard Cotton, C.B.E., has accepted the chairmanship. The full membership will be:

  • Chairman: Mr. B. E. Cotton, C.B.E.
  • Mr. T. R. V. Bolland, Chairman, Kent Area Health Authority.
  • Mr. R. Cohen, F.R.C.S., F.A.C.S., Member, Mersey Regional Health Authority.
  • Mr. W. M. Darling, O.B.E., F.P.S., Pharmacist.
  • Mr. D. J. Eves, F.H.A., I.P.F.A., Treasurer, Doncaster Area Health Authority.
  • Mr. G. A. Hart, Controller of Supply, D.H.S.S.
  • Mr. F. C. Heath, M.B.E., F.H.A., F.Inst.P.S., Regional Supplies Officer, West Midlands Regonal Health Authority.
  • Mr. J. B. Kingsley Williams, M.A., LLB., Chairman, Wessex Regional Health Authority.
  • Dr. E. B. Lewis, M.A., M.B., B.Chir., L.M.S.S.A, F.F.A.R.C.S., D.A., Consultant Anaesthetist, South East Kent Health District.
  • Mr. K. Lewis, Administrator, Brent and Harrow Area Health Authority.
  • Mrs. Y. Moores, S.R.N., S.C.M., Area Nursing Officer, Manchester Area Health Authority (Teaching).
  • Mr. J. Poole, Chairman, British Health Care Trade and Industry Council.
  • Mr. A. G. Sturrock, J.P., Member, Norfolk Area Health Authority.

There is much room for improvement in the NHS arrangements for buying, storing and distributing supplies. Indeed, those arrangements were recently criticised by the Committee of Public Accounts. It is important that the NHS itself should bring about the reforms needed, and the council will be the agent of change. It will be a special health authority with strong representation from the NHS. I expect the council to consult fully with its constituent authorities before reaching its decisions and I am confident that those decisions will earn, as well as command, acceptance and will be acted upon throughout the NHS. I shall follow the progress achieved by the council and other health authorities with close attention.

There is much for the council to do. Its remit will be the development of policies and the introduction of arrangements which will enable health authorities to make the best use of their supply resources. One of its most important and urgent tasks will be to determine for the NHS the best organisation and structure for achieving a good supply system, consistent with the organisation changes which I will be announcing soon, after consultation on "Patients First". Other tasks will include arranging a co-ordinated system for the evaluation of equipment and supplies; introducing, as resources permit, a comprehensive, computer-based NHS supplies information system; and advising on storage arrangements. The council will be expected to encourage a strong and innovative United Kingdom health care industry, capable of satisfying the needs of the National Health Service and of building up a successful export market.

The upply Council will in due course assume responsibility for certain functions carried out in my Department, leading to a reduction in the number of departmental staff.