Pioneering new supplies contract will save thousands (From Warrington Guardian)

Pioneering new supplies contract will save thousands

PATIENTS are to benefit from savings totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds after Warrington Hospital signed a pioneering new contract for the provision of its supplies.

The Trust has signed a five year contract with Surestock Health Services, of Oxford, who will manage the purchase and provision of £8 million worth of supplies. These include everything from swabs, syringes and surgical gloves to tea, coffee and stationary. The savings generated by the new contract will be ploughed back into hospital services.

Surestock is a partnership between the public and private sectors, incorporating a Government agency, The Buying Agency, and Unipart Group of Companies.

A hospital spokesman said: "Surestock aims to bring better value for money to NHS Trusts through combining the public procurement and expertise of TBA with the financial backing and information technology skills of UGC."

The contract will commence in April and last for five years, with an option to extend this for a further two years.

Warrington Hospital NHS Trust Deputy Chief Executive Beverly Peacock said: "We are pleased to be entering into a new era of partnership with Surestock Health Services to the benefit of our staff and patients.

"The enhanced service Surestock will provide will streamline our existing arrangements, giving our clinical staff more time for patient care."

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