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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE EFFICIENCY TECHNICAL NOTES: MARCH 2005: page 29

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE EFFICIENCY TECHNICAL NOTES: MARCH 2005

1. Portfolio/Number/Name:H/C3NHS Logistics Reform

2. Programme/Activity: Please include a short description

As part of NHSScotland's agenda for Modernising Support Services, SEHD launched Phase 2 of BPI (Best Procurement Implementation) into NHSScotland at the end of August 2003. The scope of the work has been divided in 4 workstreams, namely:

  • Process & Technology - co-ordinating the rollout of the eProcurement Scotl@nd service to NHSScotland (NHS boards and Special Health Boards);
  • Strategic Sourcing - targeting 11 commodities in the 1 st wave and a further 11 in wave 2;
  • Logistics - implementing best practice supply chain management in NHSScotland and securing the procurement benefit opportunities identified in Phase 1;
  • Change Management and Communication - supporting the changes driven by the Strategic Sourcing and Process & Technology streams with a comprehensive communications programme and a focus on managing the stakeholders through supporting and championing the Programme.

This activity relates to cash releasing efficiency savings arising from the Logistics workstream for which an Outline Business Case has been approved. This project will allow NHSScotland to gain control over the supply chain for consumable products covering 1.2 billion annual expenditure allowing NHSScotland to exert leverage on suppliers as to how goods are procured and delivered to meet the needs of the NHSScotland at least cost. In addition unquantified non-cash releasing savings will be achieved, but these are still to be identified.

3. Planned Savings

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Cash (m)

0

5

10

Time Releasing (m)

0

0

0

4. Accountable Officer for delivery

Dr Kevin Woods

5. Project Manager

Mr Ross Scott

6. EGDG account manager

Ms Gillian Woolman

7. Quality Impact

Describe any impact on the quality of service delivery. Be specific and explain if the expectation is positive, negative or neutral.

The expectation is a positive impact on quality. Through technology and centralised purchasing better prices will be delivered and other benefits such as freeing up the time of front line staff spent on ordering and processing goods at ward level; and the reduction of inventory (and possible waste) within hospitals.

8. Dependencies

Explain if your savings are dependant on legislation or other structural changes being achieved.

Savings are not dependant on legislation. Savings are dependent on the acquisition and development of a (single) NHSScotland National Distribution Centre (NDC) located in Lanarkshire.

9. Description of efficiency and actions to be taken

9.1 How will the saving be made? Be specific about number/size of contracts, staff, posts dates etc.

Logistics is not new for the private sector with, for example, Tesco and Asda having distribution centres along the M8 corridor. Perhaps more relevant, is Boots distribution centre based at Bellshill supplying all outlets in Scotland from Wick to Dumfries with a range of products not dissimilar to that used by NHSScotland. The savings will be derived from centralised purchasing delivering better prices and NHSScotland taking responsibility for distribution.

9.2 What action is critically needed to secure delivery of this saving? Be specific, and name the key action managers if they are outwith your immediate management chain (e.g. in an NDPB.)

The action required is that the facility is acquired and developed by the project team; the project team ensures effective delivery of practice and procedures; and that NHS Board Chief Executives and Heads of Procurement ensure that procurement utilises the NDC where appropriate. There is, therefore, a key dependency on NHSScotland participating in this project and taking responsibility for implementing business change in that environment. The Change Management and Communication workstream of BPI is important in this respect.

All NHS Chairmen and Chief Executives have formally signed up to the objective of ensuring that their Board participates actively in BPI. Furthermore, each Board has given an Executive Director specific responsibility for BPI.

10. Impact on Staffing to achieve the efficiency gain

If there are to be any changes in staff numbers (at activity level) to achieve the efficiency gain, please indicate how many full time equivalents and how far you expect savings to be achieved by natural wastage (show additions as + and reductions as -).

2005- 06

2006- 07

2007- 08

+

6

6

6

-

0

0

0

Net

6

6

6

Explanation

This project will result in potentially significant opportunities for staff, with around 12 new posts being created, redeployment and training within the new logistics infrastructure and in other areas within each Health Service organisation. It is anticipated that 6 staff will be recruited 2004-05.

11. Benefits

In general, the benefits of the Scottish Executive Efficiency Plan are the enhanced outputs from the resources Ministers have been able to allocate in SR04. But if there is a direct connection between this efficiency saving and the enhancement of a particular service please describe it here.

The cash releasing efficiency savings derived by all hospitals will be retained by NHS Boards and used for developing and/or delivering local patient services.

12. Gross/Net Cash Savings

12.1 Please set out the gross recurring saving and any offsetting recurring expenditure.

The gross recurring saving is approx 18m pa with gross recurring expenditure of approx 8m.

12.2 Against what budget does this expenditure and saving fall?

NHS Board Revenue Allocations

12.3 Has this saving been built into your budget?

No

12.4 If so, what is the maximum allowable expenditure against the published budget data, in each year, for that saving to be delivered?N/A

12.5 If not, how do you propose to invest the additional cash back into public services?

Higher investment in NHS services since the savings are retained locally within NHS Boards.

12.6 What plans do you have to exceed the required saving? Explain by how much in each year? (Answer here also if you need to do this to live within your budget)None.

13. Time - release savings

13.1 Please explain any time-releasing savings indicated at question 3.N/A

13.2 Please describe the method you plan to use to calculate the cash equivalent of those time release savings.N/A

14. Measurement and Monitoring

14.1 How are you proposing to measure the expected efficiency benefits (e.g. in terms of costs, level of output or quality of service)?

Savings delivered through NDC procurement and delivery against existing commodity expenditure baselines.

14.2 What monitoring & reporting procedures will be put in place to measure the efficiency savings (How often will progress towards the target be monitored?

Monthly Management Accounts with KPIs.

Who will have lead responsibility for reporting progress and what procedures will be in place?)

Logistics Project Director

14.3 Monitoring Data: Sources, validation and risks

  • What data will be used to measure progress?

    Procurement data.

  • Is all the required information quantifiable and readily available?

    Yes

  • If not what action will be taken to rectify this?

    N/A

  • What measures will be in place to validate the accuracy of the data?

    To be determined.

  • Who will take responsibility for this?

    Logistics Project Director

  • Are there any issues or risks relating to how you plan to use the data? (e.g. accuracy, difficulties in collection)

    No

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