§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the objectives of the NHS procurement initiative ProCure21. [38688]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 28 February 2002]: The information is as follows:
438WNHS ProCure21—objectivesNHS ProCure21 aims to improve capital procurement in the national health service through improving design, strengthening the performance of the NHS as a client, benchmarking and promoting better performance, and establishing partnering frameworks to deliver capital schemes. Its objectives are to deliver better facilities, faster and at greater value for money for the NHS, thus delivering significant benefits for patients, staff and visitors. Further details are set out in "Sold On Health", published May 2000, and on the NHS ProCure21 website www.nhs-procure21.gov.uk.The National Audit Office uses NHS ProCure21 as a case study in its report "Modernising Construction" (January 2001). Details can be found at www.nao.gov.uk/publications.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procurement methods are available to NHS organisations for projects over the threshold of?1 million in capital value, subject to the approval of the ProCure21 steering group; and what the criteria are for successful application of the alternative methods. [38691]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 28 March 2002]: HM Treasury's "Constructing a Better Government Client—Achieving Excellence" identifies the procurement methods available to the national health service. In May 2000 we published "Sold on Health" jointly with HM Treasury and the Public Services Productivity Panel, which set out our proposals for improving capital procurement in the NHS, NHS ProCure 21, and includes details for the piloting of partnering in the north west and west midlands areas.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who the principal supply chain partner is in each of the regions where the NHS pilot procurement initiative ProCure21 is in place; who the core suppliers are; and what the selection criteria are for those core suppliers for each of these regions where the initiative is in place. [38690]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 28 February 2002]: We are currently undertaking the selection process to identify principal supply chain partners for the two pilot areas for the partnering element of NHS ProCure21. The selections reflect the European Community works directive and include technical and commercial criteria as well as commitment to working closely with the national health service, delivering continuous improvement and innovation, and the ability to deliver high quality facilities for the NHS.