§ Lord Finsbergasked Her Majesty's Government:
What revenue savings the National Health Service Supplies Organisation has made since its inception and what revenue expenditure it has incurred in the same period.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The National Health Service Supplies Authority became fully operational from 1st October 1992, though some regional and district supplies services were transferred before that date. Its operating costs for 1992–93 were £75 million (full year equivalent £100 million), and are currently estimated at £80 million for 1993–94. In addition to providing comprehensive supplies services on a value for money basis for NHS and other healthcare customers, the authority has also achieved annual revenue savings on purchasing and operating costs of £36 million in 1992–93, and is on target to deliver a further £66 million in 1993–94. This is of direct benefit to the NHS in releasing extra resources for improving healthcare.