The UK’s largest public procurement organisation, Crown Commercial Service, is set to invest more than £15m into NHS England in a move that is expected to upskill staff, boost productivity and efficiency as well as reduce waiting lists.
The funding works out at an average of £5.3m per annum for the next three years and will be ringfenced for a first-of-its-kind NHS Commercial Learning and Development Academy, in addition to further support to improve the way energy is procured and managed by NHSE.
Supporting government objectives
The academy will open NHS staff access to a range of development opportunities, promoting a best-in-class workforce.
This is in support of the government agenda to grow the economy, as the investment will help ensure that contracting authorities have the requisite tools to manage all stages of commercial delivery. They will be specifically accredited in contract management and new procurement regulations.
CCS’s investment will also help deliver best practice skills and methods of working to NHSE’s business and commercial professionals who preside over the procurement and management of energy consumption. This, in turn, will help harness efficiencies and contribute towards the NHS’s net zero pledge.
The initiatives ultimately align with the new strategic framework for NHS Commercial, which was launched last November and signalled a step change in how the organisation operates.
Best-in-class commercial function
“These exciting initiatives working in partnership with CCS will help the NHS continue to deliver on our commitments to patients and our workforce, while providing the best value for money for the taxpayer,” said Jacqui Rock, NHSE’s chief commercial officer.
“Our teams will be fully supported to deliver a best-in-class commercial function, ensuring the best purchasing decisions for the NHS and driving further efficiencies to help improve care for patients.”
David Skinner, business development and customer experience director at CCS, commented: “I’m delighted that NHSE and CCS are entering into another formal partnership agreement. We’re making this investment so that we can continue to support the NHS, and enable better outcomes for our customers.”
The investment comes as part of CCS’s ongoing plans to fund commercial capability improvements across the public sector. CCS previously provided NHSE with investment to roll out an e-commerce system to act as a common procurement platform across NHS trusts, unlocking a host of benefits.
On this latest investment, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care added: “This innovative cross-government collaboration supports our mission to build an NHS fit for the future.
“The initiative is an example of our government’s commitment to sustaining and growing partnerships across the NHS and arm’s length bodies that support workforce development, increase value for money and improve patient care”
Image credit: iStock
