NHS (Efficiency Scrutinies) (Hansard, 13 December 1985)

§ Mr. Whitney

Efficiency scrutinies, along the lines of those undertaken in Whitehall were successfully extended to the National Health Service in 1982. Nine studies have already been published and health authorities have been given advice and policy instructions on the implementation of scrutiny recommendations. The studies identified more efficient methods of working and show that many millions of pounds can be saved which can be re-directed to improving patient care.

Scrutinies play an important role in the general drive for achieving value for money in the National Health Service. In order to build on the success of the first programme of studies, I have agreed with regional health authority chairmen that more scrutinies should be undertaken.

Subjects for study already agreed are:

Study	Sponsoring region
Maximising revenue from private and amenity beds in the NHS	Mersey
Creditor payment arrangements (improving efficiency and reducing costs in the way health authorities pay their bills)	Wessex
Ways of maximising revenue and generating additional income for the NHS aids and appliances in the community	North Western
Improving efficiency in organisation, ordering and distribution	Oxford
Liaison between the NHS and the private sector of medicine	Yorkshire
The cost of telephone services in hospitals	Trent
Equipment maintenance contracts (getting value for money on the maintenance of Health Service equipment)	Yorkshire^*
Inventory management of medical gas cylinders (improving existing arrangements and examining alternatives)	South Western
Printing and distribution/publications and stationery in the NHS	Mersey
^* Assisted by Mersey.

Some of these scrutinies have begun—the remainder will start soon. Other potential subjects for study are being considered with a view to there being a rolling programme of scrutinies as part of the drive for greater efficiency and economy in the National Health Service.