Posted 05 December 2016 - 11:06
Posted 05 December 2016 - 11:06
News
Nurse joins team tasked with improving NHS procurement
District nurse and paramedic add their expertise to nurse-led NHS clinical evaluation team, which is due to publish findings of its first review of essential products
A nurse and paramedic have joined a nurse-led team tasked with helping cut NHS costs through more efficient purchasing of essentials, such as gloves and syringes.
Picture: iStock
The clinical evaluation team, led by RCN nurse network lead Naomi Chapman, was set up in April this year.
It evaluates clinical product ranges independently of suppliers and NHS Supply Chain, with members using their front-line experience to review products based on their packaging, opening and application, clinical use and disposal.
Each team member is given responsibility for around 15-20 products. They then report to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust nursing director Mandie Sunderland, who chairs the NHS clinical reference board, which advises on procurement nationally.
Fresh ideas
District nurse Jillian Best has joined the team on secondment from South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She has worked in acute and community services and as a Marie Curie nurse.
Paramedic Marc Naughton will bring a pre-hospital and emergency care perspective to the evaluation process.
Ms Sunderland said the team was preparing to publish its findings from the first round of reviews.
She said: ‘The team members have been using their own insight into front-line patient care to thoroughly analyse key clinical product ranges since May. Bringing Jillian and Marc on board has introduced expertise in a wider range of fields, as well as fresh ideas.
‘I’m confident that the team’s work can have a huge impact on NHS procurement.’
The RCN has previously campaigned for nurses to be have a prominent voice in the improvement of procurement processes.
Further information
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