§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what further plans he has for the use of e-auction as a method of purchasing clinically prescribed equipment in the NHS [R]; [149051]
(2) what plans he has to regulate the use of e-auction by NHS bodies.[R] [149052]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 19 January 2004]: E-auctions have been used extensively in the private sector and have resulted in significant savings.
The national health service Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) is conducting pilot e-auctions to establish if they will provide best value for money for the NHS and in which areas they are most effective.
Five e-auctions had been carried out up to the end of December 2003, which had resulted in savings to the NHS of £16 million pounds. PASA will fully evaluate the results of these pilot exercises from March 2004, and make recommendations on the future use of e-auctions in the NHS.