NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 cc979-80W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the funding of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; [17167]

(2) if he will make a statement on the cost in 2001–02 of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. [16940]

Mr. Hutton

The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency is an executive agency of the Department and is funded centrally. In 2001–2002 the Agency was allocated £19.5 million. The agency's funding for 2002–03 is still being discussed.

The agency's aim is to modernise and improve the performance of the NHS purchasing and supply system and become the centre of expertise, knowledge and excellence on matters of purchasing and supply for the NHS for the benefit of patients and the public.

The agency is responsible for ensuring that the NHS makes the most effective use of its resources by getting the best value for money when purchasing goods and services. In 2000–01 the agency negotiated contracts that resulted in savings of £171.1 million and from April to the end of October 2001 has achieved savings of £108.1 million.