NHS Supplies Authority (Hansard, 3 March 1994)

§ Mr. Blunkett
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the scope of the NHS Supplies Authority research in the summer of 1993; and what was the circulation of the results.

§ Mr. Sackville
An extensive survey of customers was carried out by national health service Supplies last summer covering a wide cross-section of almost 2,000 people within the customer base, ranging from chief executives to ward sisters. The results were communicated to staff, customers and the media.

§ Mr. Blunkett
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average length of time between orders being placed with the NHS Supplies Authority and the delivery of goods.

§ Mr. Sackville
Between three and five working days for stock goods. All distribution centres operate a two to three-hour emergency service.

§ Mr. Blunkett
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts contract with the NHS Supplies Authority; and what percentage the NHSSA has as its sole supplier.

§ Mr. Sackville
National Health Service Supplies has contracts to provide a supplies service to 99 per cent. of NHS trusts. There are no trusts that use NHS Supplies to supply every item they purchase.