NHS Procurement 2024-05-23
2024-05-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The National Audit Office's January report highlighted the potential for the NHS supply chain to secure further savings by aggregating spending power, but noted that this potential has not been fulfilled.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of National Audit Office resources to undertake analysis on the efficiency and effectiveness of NHS procurement. The report established that the NHS supply chain has great potential to secure further savings by aggregating the NHS's spending power, but so far it has not fulfilled that potential.
In its January report, the National Audit Office established that the NHS supply chain has great potential to secure further savings by aggregating the NHS's spending power, but that so far it has not fulfilled that potential.
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Assessment & feedback
The adequacy of resources for analysis was not addressed; instead, it reiterates a known issue without specifics on assessment or resource needs.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The National Audit Office reports twice a year on the implementation of its recommendations by Departments, and it has made seven recommendations to improve the efficiency of the NHS's £8 billion annual procurement programme.
In its January report on the NHS supply chain, the National Audit Office made seven recommendations to improve the efficiency of the NHS's £8 billion annual procurement programme. Will it use the mechanism of twice-yearly reports to monitor progress?
I am sure the Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff at the National Audit Office will want to listen very carefully to what my hon. Friend has said, although I must tell him that the inability of the NHS to use its huge spending power more successfully on behalf of taxpayers and patients has been a hardy perennial throughout my entire 23 years in Parliament. While I wish him well in his endeavours, I would advise him not to hold his breath.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific mechanism for monitoring progress was not addressed; instead, it criticises the NHS's past performance and advises against expecting change.
Criticising The Nhs
Advising Against Expectations
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner is nearing retirement after nearly 45 years in Parliament and highlights the significance of the Public Accounts Committee for parliamentary inquiries, funding scrutiny, and wise government spending.
Can we do more to show incoming Members of Parliament how powerful a body the Public Accounts Committee is? Could there be a programme or note on the desk to teach new MPs about this national treasure?
Having spent 16 years on the Public Accounts Committee, I completely agree with what the hon. Gentleman says. It is, in my view, one of the best places to spend one's time as a parliamentarian, checking that our constituents' money as taxpayers is safeguarded and well looked after by whichever Government of the day happens temporarily to be in office. I commend what he has said to everyone.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific plan or programme for educating new MPs was not addressed; instead, it expresses agreement with the importance of the Public Accounts Committee without providing concrete actions.
Response accuracy