Medilink North West News - Spring Edition 2015 Medilink North West News - Spring 2015 | Page 6

EXPERT VIEW MICK GUYMER DIRECTOR OF NORTH WEST PROCUREMENT DEVELOPMENT The North West Procurement Development (NWPD) office was established in early 2013 to help drive forward improvements in the quality and performance of local NHS procurement functions. Its creation is fully aligned to (and in many ways prescient of) the wider national agenda on NHS procurement that has materialised over the past few years and was made explicit in August 2013 with the publication of the Better Procurement, Better Value, Better Care development programme - effectively the first procurement strategy for the NHS. The challenges in NHS procurement are well known and include: supplier dominance in key markets; clinical preference; autonomous NHS Foundation Trusts that often see themselves as competitors to neighbouring organisations; poor purchasing data quality and a large variation of procurement partner organisations, ledger and e-commerce systems. NHS procurement has seen a number of ‘quick fix’ overhauls during the past 20 years, oscillating between pushes for greater centralisation to de-centralisation and back again. The current philosophy is for strong local procurement teams supported by robust national and regional development programmes. The opportunities are undoubtedly great if we can work together more effectively to develop our people, processes, partnerships and leadership. NHS procurement functions in the region control or influence nearly £2.5bn of non-pay spend, a huge sum. The key target is to deliver savings and efficiencies as part of a national procurement savings target of £2bn by the end of 2015/16. The new procurement agenda therefore offers many exciting opportunities, for SMEs especially, to win new business with the NHS and help deliver value through savings and the adoption of innovation. However NWPD, along with all national and regional procurement bodies, recognises that winning busine ss with the NHS is not always an easy journey to navigate. The NHS needs innovative cost effective solutions and the agenda is very much on the side of SMEs that engage with the NHS procurement profession and work with us in partnership - we welcome your contact: email [email protected]. Written by Mick Guymer, Director of North West Procurement Development www.nwprocurement.co.uk Please note - the views being expressed are those of the author and not necessarily Medilink. INTRODUCING WARD HADAWAY Ward Hadaway, which has recently joined Medilink North West, is one of the UK’s Top 100 law firms with offices in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. The firm has a long history of advising companies and organisations in the healthcare, life sciences and medical technology sectors. Current clients include researchbased and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, suppliers of over-the-counter and veterinary medicines, university spin-out companies, medical device manufacturers, funders and investors. The firm also has nationallyrecognised expertise in advising NHS organisations, including Trusts and clinical commissioning groups, on procurement, commercial, contracting, funding and property issues. It has been named as PFI Law Firm of the Year in England for two years in a row. Ward Hadaway’s lawyers understand the strategic challenges involved in funding and developing innovative products and 06 securing access to markets, both in the UK and overseas. The firm prides itself on providing clear, pragmatic and commercial advice, using its knowledge and understanding of the healthcare sector to achieve clients’ objectives. Whatever the stage of your business growth, from start-up funding to expanding into export markets, Ward Hadaway can help you make the most of available opportunities. For an informal discussion contact: Melanie Yeomans, Partner (Corporate) on 0161 837 3896 / email [email protected] or contact Sarah Podesta, Associate (Commercial) on 0161 837 3800. For more information visit: www.wardhadaway.com L@WardHadaway