Title: NHS PASA Supply Chain Analysis Project Report Summary of Report Confidential
1NHS PASA Supply Chain Analysis Project Report
Summary of ReportConfidential
2FOREWORD
In recent times, the NHS has enjoyed year on year
increase in funding to enable the delivery of
world class patient care. The results can be
seen in our hospitals and our communities. We
now need to deliver even greater patient care by
driving out waste and poor processes. So far,
supply chain optimisation has played a minor role
in the delivery of efficiencies and an improved
patient experience. This report was
commissioned by supply chain practioners within
the NHS, supported by PASA, to provide an insight
into the potential benefit to the NHS if we were
to apply modern supply chain concepts and
techniques. The authors relied upon case studies
from individual Trusts own work to reach a view
of the full potential across the whole of the
English NHS. The findings of the Report point to
significant cash flow and efficiency gains with
the need to establish benchmarks of good
performance and KPIs to enable activity to be
tracked. The commissioners of this Report hope
its findings make clear the potential benefit
from applying a supply chain approach to support
the delivery of healthcare and encourage the
adoption of the Reports recommendations by the
healthcare community. Colin Rothwell Andrew
Rudd Chair Co-Chair NHS Supply Chain
Group NHS Supply Chain Group
3Contents and Page Index
- Introduction Page 4
- Executive Summary Pages 5-6
- Recommendations Page 7
- Theatres and Wards Pages 8-14
- Internal Supply Chain
- Inbound Supply Chain
- Stocks
- Opportunities
- Pharmacy Pages 14-18
- Internal Supply Chain
- Inbound Supply Chain
- Stocks
- Opportunities
- Sterile Services Page 19
- Pathology Page 20
- Community Equipment Pages 21-22
- Best Practice Pages 23-24
- Maturity Score Ranking Pages 25-26
- Bench Marking Page 27
4Contents and Page Index Appendices
- Appendix 1 2004-05 NHS Spend by Category (excl
Drugs) - Appendix 2a Hampshire, IOW Order Process 2001/02
- Appendix 2b Hampshire, IOW EDC Mat man v Paper
Other Suppliers 2001/2 - Appendix 2c Hampshire, IOW Comparison Summaries
2003 - Appendix 3 South East Coast Strategic Health
Authority - Appendix 4(a) Ward Stock Southampton University
Hospital - Appendix 4(b) Theatre Stock
- Appendix 5(a) Hospital Supply Chain Cost Elapse
Time - Appendix 5b Hospital Supply Chain Process Cost
Comparison - Appendix 6 Analysis of Pharmacy Supply Chain
- Appendix 7 - Hospital Supply Chain Pharmacy
Processes - Appendix 8 - Summary of 3 Trusts Pharmacy Supply
Chain Best Practice Reports Pilot Study 2005 - Appendix 9 - Wards and Theatres Throughputs
Volumes and Values - Appendix 10 - Wards Theatres Supplier Channel
Option Costing - Appendix 11 - Wards Theatres Supplier Channel
Option Costing - Appendix 12 -Pharmacy Throughputs, Volumes and
Values - Appendix 13 Pharmacy Supplier Channel Option
Costing - Appendix 14 Trust Supply Chain Savings
- Appendix 14 Trust Supply Chain Savings
5Introduction
- This report aims to clarify the key issues and
formulate a series of practical improvement
steps, based upon Best Practice, that can be
successfully adopted by links within the NHS
supply chain. - As early as 2002 PASA raised the issue and
opportunities with Trust Chief Executives (Chief
Executive Bulletin 113) Modernising Supply in
the NHS. - At the 2003 Ministerial Conference the following
areas of opportunity were recognised - Removing inefficient supply chain processes
- Removing duplicated inventory
- Improved utilisation of infrastructures
- Automating supply chain processes
- Sharing experience and information
- Performance management and benchmarking
- The findings in the report are based upon desk
top research undertaken by SGAC using a wide
range of data sources. Despite this, limitations
were found with the data and so assumptions and
extrapolation of data has been required to be
able to describe a national picture. - The definition of supply chain used for this
Report is Processes, methodologies and metrics
that enable an organisation to manage and monitor
the results and effectiveness of its operational
support activities.
6Executive Summary (1)
- Three explicit supply chains were reviewed in
detail (theatre, ward and pharmacy) using data
from field visits and NHS internal and external
reports. Due to data availability, three other
supply chains (community equipment, sterile
services and pathology), could only be reviewed
at a high level. - An assessment was made on the maturity of each
supply chain and a score in the range 1-5 was
given to each (1 being low). No supply chain
scored above 4, the highest performing being
pharmacy (4) with three supply chains scoring 2
or less. - Opportunities to reduce inbound and internal
costs were identified across theatre, ward and
pharmacy supply chains. This was calculated to be
360m of which, 289m was from stock reduction
(giving a one off cash benefit) and the rest from
efficiency gains. - Across theatre, ward and pharmacy it was found
there exist a high concentration of suppliers,
suggesting implementation of supply side changes
could be implemented relatively quickly. - Very little Best Practice data is gathered by the
NHS in the area of supply chain. A process of
establishing and defining Best Practice is set
out starting with the P2P and stock management
processes.
7Executive Summary (2)
- Bench Marking NHS performance with other
industries was attempted but with limited
success. It was felt the complexity and unique
nature of the NHS made comparison difficult. - There are no standard Key Performance Indicators
adopted which record supply chain performance. A
wide range of KPIs could be used but it was
found that focusing on just a few would provide
immediate benefit with others to follow once the
processes were established. - Factory gate pricing could deliver a 6 reduction
in selected material costs if suitable logistics
partners could be found. (Based on the study
Factory Gate Pricing Within Tesco Andrew Potter
Cardiff University.) NHS Supply Chain could be
the ideal partner but the situation would need to
be assessed using local input coordinated
through, for example, a Procurement Hub or
Confederation. - Alternative channels to market were identified as
a potential opportunity to reduce costs.
Developing a consolidator model using a hub and
spoke concept delivered by an existing supplier
to the NHS, could use spare capacity in the
system and reduce the number of vehicle movements
to hospitals. The pharmacy market was identified
as being a supply chain that offered high
potential.
8Recommendations
- Establish a national body to set the SC agenda.
- Establish a Programme to exploit the potential of
eCommerce/Stock reduction/physical process
improvements, (This should link with the
eEnablement strategy). - Create viable and credible data sources covering
site, Trust and specific channels for - Intra Trust comparison
- Intra SC link comparison
- Initially develop a limited number of KPIs in
accordance with suggested categories, and then
move on to more detailed monitoring. - Consider standard data definitions (to support
data comparison on an inter Trust SC level.) - Use existing Process Mapping Tools to determine
Activity Costs - Support CPH/CPC development and exploit the
possible opportunities - Consider the appointment of a SC champion to
lead, drive and co-ordinate the appropriate Best
Practice. - Investigate Alternative SC link options through
the use of unused capacity within supply
channels.
9Internal Supply Chain Wards and Theatres
- The NHS total spend on materials excluding drugs
(based on 2005 TFR3 data) was 3.9bn (Appendix 1).
- There are 2 replenishment channels NHS Supply
Chain , Direct Supply - NHS SC
- order process cost (a 2-4 step process )
represents 30 of channel costs - receipt and delivery of goods (a 7 step process)
represents 55-65 of channel costs - payment of goods ( a 10-22 step process)
representing 1-4 of channel costs. - Direct Supply
- order process costs (a 13-19 step process )
represent 30-40 of channel costs - receipt and delivery (an 7-11 step process)
represents 35-45 of channel costs - payment of goods ( a 8-24 step process)
representing 22-27 of channel costs. - Order velocity (i.e. requisition to order issue)
is dependent upon the replenishment channel
applied (assuming all other factors e.g. physical
processes remain the same) - NHS SC electronic 1-3 days
- Trust P2P electronic 2-4 days
- Trust P2P paper based 2-7 days
- Supplier lead times (from order issue to
delivery) 2-10 days
10Inbound Supply Chain Wards and Theatres (1)
- NHS Supply Chain
- Based on TFR3 2005/6 data, NHS SC supply 20 of
in scope spend of this Report (this can be higher
or lower within product groups). - Very little financial/operation information has
been made available but key facts - Turnover 800m
- Stock turn 16
- 70 of deliveries ex warehouse 28 cross docked
- Operating costs 9 of T/O- all fully recovered
-
11Inbound Supply Chain Wards and Theatres (2)
- Direct Delivery
- Around 80 of Trust spend -3,625m of Clinical
and General Supplies and Services, delivered from
Suppliers own or contracted distribution networks
which in some cases may involve consolidation
centres. - Based on 2005 Summary figures for the South East
Coast Strategic Health Authority (Appendix 3)
concentration of live suppliers was
12Stocks Wards and Theatres
- Based on Trust and CPH studies, ward stock levels
average 5.5 weeks usage or 42m - Similarly, theatre stock levels average at 13
weeks usage or 335m - Best practice examples show that stock in wards
and theatres can be reduced to 3.5 weeks - a
potential reduction of 144m
13Opportunities Inbound costs, Wards and Theatres
- Spend 1,151m
- Inbound Costs
- _at_ 100Supply Current
Supply - Case 1
- Supplier Direct
105.0m 80 -
- Case 2
- Via Distributor/NHS SC 77.3m 20
- Case 3
- Via Consolidator 60.7m
80 - Potential Saving (105.0m
60.7m) x 80 35.4m
14Opportunities Transfer from Paper to EDC
- Electronic Inv Manual
- Clinical and General
- National Cost Reduction Potential
6.8m 13.4m - Pharmacy
- National Cost Reduction Potential
2.8m
15Pharmacy - Internal Supply Chain
- Trust spend on Drugs including Gases for 2005 was
2.0bn, of which, Secondary Trusts accounts for
1.6bn - There is a concentration of suppliers such that 7
suppliers account for 50 of spend and 20
suppliers account for 75 of spend. - Wholesales account for 36 of value but 75 of
transactions - Drugs are ordered via a 3 step process steps
which accounts for 92 of channel costs - Orders are received in half day slots with an on
time, in full score of 92 - Drugs are receipted via a 2 step process
accounting for 8 of channel costs - Payment of invoice is highly automated with at
negligible marginal cost. - Direct supply accounts for 25 of transactions
but 64 of value. - Drugs are ordered via a 5 step process steps
which accounts for 14 of channel costs - Orders are received on average in 6 days of
order, but there is considerable variation - Drugs are receipted via a 3 step process steps
accounting for 28 of this channels costs - Payment of invoice is a 10 step process covering
accounting for 58 of this channels costs
16Pharmacy - Inbound Supply Chain
- Wholesalers
- There are 4 main Wholesalers who provide daily/2
daily delivery services to the Trusts - Goods are supplied in returnable sealed crates
for each requisition point (some palletised
deliveries are made for bulk items) - Potential to downloaded directly from requisition
(bar code) direct to Wholesaler e ordering - Good management information is available
- e services ordering and invoicing from their
specialist Systems (e.g. AAH Medecator) - Direct
- There are approximately 800 suppliers in this
category with some 56 suppliers accounting for
90 of the direct spend - Presenting the trusts with longer lead times
(average for Mid Staffs sample 7 days by
supplier) with resulting increased stock levels - Unless booked, deliveries are uncontrolled and
can cause imbalance in the workload of the
Pharmacy - Variation in ordering procedures (unless
electronic) -
17Opportunities Inbound costs, Pharmacy
- Spend 998m Inbound Costs
- _at_100 Supply Current
Supply - Case 1
- Supplier Direct
24.5m 63.58 - Case 2
- Via Wholesaler 18.0m 36.42
- Case 3
- Via Consolidator 15.9m
63.58 - Case 4
- Via Wholesaler 10.1m
63.58 - With Supplier X Dock
- Potential Saving (24.5m 10.1m ) x
63.58 9.2m
18Pharmacy - Stocks
- Stock is located centrally at main hospitals
dispensaries and at dispersed location to wards
and satellite dispensaries. - Stock coverage ranges from 2.5 weeks to 8 weeks
with an estimated average 6 weeks. -
19Opportunities Stocks
20Sterile Services
- There is little evidence of focused work directed
towards SC activities in this service. The
national spend is in the range 60-64m on
consumable products, including single use
instruments. - The shape and function of the service has yet to
be delivered and so it is difficult to determine
through desk top research, the potential for SC
improvement. (The National Decontamination
Program is currently rolling out across the
country) - What is to be hoped is that when designing and
evaluating new resources, attention will be given
to Lean Processes and the need to consider how
best SC activities can support the service. - SC should reflect the needs of the service and
enable present needs and future plans not only to
be achieved, but where appropriate, lead the
drive towards new possibilities. The use of IT
and e based processes have enabled
organisations to improve their effectiveness and
efficiency. - All the Best Practice benefits that are available
to mainstream supply chains and described
elsewhere in this document, can be exploited and
enjoyed by Sterile Services. Reference should be
made to the recently published Outline Paper
for the Procurement of Products Associated with
Sterilisation Service Departments V1
21Pathology Services
- In terms of its Supply Chain evolution, Pathology
is in a not dissimilar situation to Sterile
Services. - The Carter Report and initiatives such as Path
Links primarily focus on the organisation
structure and technical process functions.
Progressive procurement disciplines are now being
applied to equipment and infrastructure
purchasing, but the use of eCommerce is in its
early stages and there is little apparent
evidence of its deployment in SC activities. - Across a number of pilot sites service
improvement initiatives are being undertaken with
good results. Logistics flows for sample
transportation could be a high potential area for
optimisation. Removing non-value added steps and
stock control/inventory management is receiving
attention. (This is being developed using the
pathology networks). - All the Best Practice benefits that are available
to mainstream supply chains and described
elsewhere in this document, can be exploited and
enjoyed in their appropriate context by Pathology
Services
22Community Equipment (1)
- In scope is the administration, delivery,
collection, refurbishment and servicing of
medical equipment, ranging from walking aids to
beds for the NHS Social Services and PCTs.
Typically a service centre will supply a range of
200-300 specified items. - Limited data, coupled with a relatively wide
range of internal and external customers and
the unusual feature of a comprehensive reverse
logistics process, makes it difficult to describe
a generic process or to specify Best Practice.
Anecdotal information appears to indicate that
the degree of management sophistication varies
considerably in this area. - Case Study - Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust - GIS Healthcare
(Gloucestershire Industrial Services). - 4.5m stock holding supports a 20-step process,
which includes the recovery and refurbishment of
equipment. Approximately 1400 items are delivered
each week and around 700 collections are
achieved. - Orders are received via the district
nurses/occupational therapists when an order is
entered into the system the customer receives
acknowledgement of the equipment they require
stating whether the goods are in stock or not.
This acknowledgement is via email and is
therefore dependent on the customers email
address being registered with GIS. - Coupled with the delivery of equipment, GIS
provides a collection service from homes and
hospitals. In order to achieve a greater number
of returns GIS has provided a cage at their
depots for the public to drop off unwanted
equipment instead of waiting for a collection. - Returned items are sanitised, booked onto the
system, inspected by hand, repaired/refurbished
if required or scrapped if unsuitable. Most of
the equipment that is scrapped is sent out to
third world countries. - Equipment is bar coded to aid stock control and.
when dispatched, colour coded by delivery area.
23Community Equipment (2)
- Future Challenges
- Examination of the recovery/sanitisation/refurbis
hment/replacement process in order to understand
how much effort should be expended on each type
of item before the cost exceeds the benefit.
Recyclable Items could then be clearly marked and
tracked, enabling recovery to be targeted. - Identify the total cost of their processes- not
just the cost of goods - Decide how to gain most benefit from eCommerce
- What equipment can be economically recycled.
- How IT can be used to optimise equipment recovery
24Best Practice - Introduction
- The goal is that Best Practice can produce
combined SC cost benefits of between 15 and 30 -
evidenced by studies undertaken by CPHs and NHS
Logistic Authority (see Appendix 17a/b). - Best Practice is defined as systems or
processes that enable tasks to be performed at
the right time, in the most cost-effective way
and without duplication or failure - The journey towards achieving Best Practice is
sequential and progressive, there are no magic
fixes. Missing out key stages or trying to
shortcut the essential actions will lead to
failure, but it is recognised sometimes that at
step rather than incremental change will be
needed. - Very little data is collected with SC activities
in mind and so cannot be used to compare
different channels, locations or activities.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that as much as 40
of Non Pay spend cannot be classified correctly
(NHS YHCPC Business case). - Before any useful work can be undertaken clean,
stable, coherent and relevant data-bases need to
be established. Without this critical foundation
any other work done will be wasted.
25Best Practice Recommended Steps
- Define and introduce standardised electronic
order and payment processes (P2P) across all
requisition points. (eCommerce). - Process cost
reduction of 54-90 (NHS SC/HFMA), NHS Purchase
Order process is typically 22 of SC cost - Introduce effective and utilisation based stock
control. Potential stock holding reductions of
between 15-30. Cost of Inventory is typically
15 of SC cost. The key factor is inventory
control. Consideration should be given to the
creation of a three dimensional Classification
structure - ABC of throughput usage
- ABC of product, by value
- ABC of product by shelf life
- ABC of product by clinical criticality
- ABC pf product by supplier reliability/On Time In
Full (OTIF) - The objective is to identify the lowest stock
level compatible with availability, ordering
complexity/cost (reduced both for Trust and
supplier) and the supplier service channel
offerings. - Reduce the number of suppliers. Over the 177
secondary Trusts the annual Pharmacy spend was
998m from 796 direct suppliers, In a 47 Trust
sample Med/Surg for a spend of 95m had
approximately 5,500 suppliers. Supplier
Management is typically 14 of SC cost. - Centralise physical SC distribution functions.
(Remove hands off the process). Process cost
reduction 10 NHS Receiving Distribution
activity plus Stores Management is typically
23.5 of SC cost. (Based upon modelling of
Southampton University Hospital)
26Supply Chain Maturity Score (1)
27Supply Chain Maturity Score (2)
28Benchmarking
- A recent survey conducted by ProLogis found that
companies that undertake formal benchmarking
initiatives often realise a substantial return on
their investment within the first year and
benchmarking data can often be procured free of
charge from the likes of industry, trade and
professional associations. - Ideally, all the constituent members of the NHS
would have a common and uniform database,
utilising common suppliers/ product
names/descriptions/codes. This does not exist and
in the foreseeable future, is unlikely to be
created. If the SC Group Benchmark their
activities against each other they have to adopt
a set of common definitions, process
descriptions, and a rigorous discipline in order
to keep their data integrity and ensure that any
comparisons made are valid. It might be possible
to replicate the Logmark experience or - perhaps
join another Benchmarking club such as The
Health Care Procurement and Benchmarking
Association (http//www.abhc.org/hcpscba.html) in
the USA. (A member of the Association for
Benchmarking Health Care - ABHC). - Cranfield University show that the European
manufacturer to customer cost link comprises -
Transport 42, Warehousing 24, Inventory 13.
(The comparable figures for the USA are 45, 22
and 24). - The wide range of SC maturity (SCMS) coupled with
the lack of adequate data, currently makes it
very difficult if not impossible to usefully
Benchmark NHS Supply Chain activities with
external organisations
29Key Performance Indicators
- As with Bench Marks, KPIs are dependant upon a
clean, current and credible database. It is
critical that the KPIs themselves are clearly
defined and do not change over time. Once the
initial KPIs are installed, understood and
providing the useful and consistent information
that was originally specified, then, and only
then, the organisation may seek to expand the
range of measures. - Too many KPIs, especially in the early stages of
their introduction, will be counter productive
and could threaten the whole SC improvement
initiative. Also, the means of producing the
supporting information should be pragmatic and
feasible. - The table set out below illustrates the range and
type of KPIs which might be used in a SC
environment. Although they have been divided into
categories, Financial, Outcomes, Throughput and
Volumes and Capacity there are no rules governing
the KPIs which are chosen. - A barrier to progressing the development of KPIs
has been the availability of data Trust may
well need to invest in systems to overcome this
obstacle.
30Key Performance Indicators Recommendations
- The three target areas for improvement and
benefit generation are - 1. Increase use of eCommerce in P2P process
- Suggested KPI - of Purchase transactions
effected by e Commerce
- 2. Reduce Stock Holding
- Suggested KPI - Value of Stockholding or
Stockholding as of Spend - 3. (i) Reduce number of suppliers
- Suggested KPI -possibly measure by category
- or
- (ii) Centralise SC physical distribution
functions - Suggested KPI(s)
- Distribution lines (User predestined) picked
per paid hour. - Stock lines (From Supplier) put away per
paid hour. - 4. On Time In Full
31Key Performance Indicators Advanced
Recommendations (1)
- As sophistication and the desire for more
detailed information grows, then more detailed
KPIs can be developed, for example - For the in house supply chain link a record of
key data is required - By - Overall grouping Wards /Theatres/Pharmacy
and/or Channel NHS SC/Wholesaler/Ex Supplier/
Other - Orders/Req
- Req Points
- Lines
- Packs/Units
- Order Errors
- By SC Section Separate
records by Channel - Activity No Time Cost
- Stock count Req
- Receiving
- Transfer to User
- Returns
- Admin
32Key Performance Indicators Advanced
Recommendations (2)
- In order to understand SC costs and make informed
decisions as which channel might offer the
optimum solution it is necessary to measure for
all material types, the inbound/supply
performance. Appropriate KPIs could be - NHS SC/Wholesaler Direct
- Cost per Requisition Raised
- Cost or time per Order Received
- Cost or time per Line Received
- Cost or time per Delivery Received
- Cost or time per Delivery to
- Ward/Theatre/other (inc return cages
crates etc) - Cost or time per return
- Admin cost/time per order
33Factory Gate Pricing
- Definition-The use of an ex-works price for a
product and the organisation and optimisation of
transport by the purchaser to the point of
delivery. (Potter et al, 2003, Cardiff
University). - The optimisation of the transport link can
produce specific cost savings of as much as 18,
which are offset to varying degrees by additional
handling costs and potentially slower transit
times. The likely link actual saving is in the
range of 5-6. To get the very best results from
FGP there needs to be in place a network of
consolidation points and clearly defined
processes supported by robust and transparent
eCommerce. - Within the NHS, apart from particular situations
such as the Excel Hospital Logistics Solution in
NW London, the only comprehensive SC network
which would support FGP development is that
uniquely provided by NHS Supply Chain. Their
practices and development plans are outside the
scope of this Report, but clearly they will aim
to realise the potential synergies of cost
reduction and enhanced product flow from the
application of FGP principals. - A way forward would be for Trust to jointly
identify duplication or inefficient use of
transport related resources and quantify
potential savings and go out to the market place
in order to find the optimum cost benefit
solution. This ought to include a structured
Gainshare provision in order to help realise
the future opportunities which will arise as
other supply chain components move towards Best
Practice.
34Alternative Channels - Options
- In order to take full advantage of the potential
benefits available from eCommerce the first
alternative route requires the creation of an
eCatalogue for each specific channel. There are
however a number of barriers to building a
catalogue and these have been highlighted by work
done at Guys and St Thomas (GSTT). The key
barrier to building a catalogue is that the spend
base in hospitals is typically very fragmented.
At Guy's and St Thomas' (GSTT) the annual
medical/surgical consumable spend is
approximately 55m. The supply base is spread
across over 2,000 suppliers from the large 1-2m
cardiac suppliers to specialist laboratory
suppliers below 1,000. The need to create and
maintain a catalogue for each supplier is clearly
not a practical or viable option. - An alternative is to reducing the number of
suppliers and then consolidating the supply base
through wholesalers and/or offsite
warehousing/final delivery. (This model is not
dissimilar the role played by NHS SC). Allocating
a single distribution route for each clinical
department removes the need for large numbers of
catalogues and facilitates the rollout of
eCommerce based processes. - The ideal model will adopt a JIT (3-4) day stock
level service (tailored for clinical risk),
supported by Service Level Agreements with
suppliers. The cost of the service is absorbed by
the suppliers on the premise that it is more
effective for them to deliver monthly to an
offsite warehouse than daily or weekly to the
hospital. It also provides a real opportunity to
develop Gainshare opportunities, which
encourage all parties to anticipate demand
changes and adapt to changing circumstances. - Development of consignment stock or Vendor
Managed Inventory to release cash and integrate
supply chains with suppliers.
35Alternative Channels Pharma. (1)
- Pharmaceutical sector consolidation has started,
featuring the virtual stores concept, with the
wholesaler AAH under their Added Value Services
programme. Amongst these is one covering 17 Trust
sites in Avon/Gloucester/Wiltshire. - 50 of Pharmacy demand is satisfied by 7
suppliers, and 20 suppliers cover 75 of direct
supply demand. It is also interesting to note
that the pharmaceutical supply chain structure is
similar to that supporting med/surg demand i.e.
Supplier delivers directly to the Trust or a
wholesaler delivers on their behalf. (In the
med/surg/dressings chain the role of the
wholesaler is fulfilled by NHS SC). - The true link cost of this part of the supply
chain is difficult to unravel, but there does
appear to be the potential for a win win
opportunity if the two parallel SC transport
activities can be integrated. - The cost/margin structure within pharmaceuticals
appears to be changing as the balance between
patented and generic drug pricing alters. The
recognised margin of 12.5 might be considered
to be too high in relation to higher priced drugs
and too low in respect of generics. There is a
risk that attempts to cherry pick routes within
a SC link could produce unwanted and undesirable
side effects. It is not within the scope of this
project to evaluate this situation, but it might
be possible to add a constructive and previously
unconsidered factor into the discussion.
36Alternative Channels Pharma. (2)
- Two of the main pharmaceutical wholesalers/retaile
rs AAH and Unichem have built extensive and
physical distribution networks to supply their
retail outlets. In many cases hospital pharmacies
piggy back the twice-daily retail delivery
service. - If the capacity exists within these networks,
both pharmacy, direct suppliers and non-pharmacy
suppliers could deliver pre-consigned orders to
the wholesalers depots/network. These would be
cross-docked and be delivered on the next
available vehicle. The Trust would receive fewer
overall deliveries, potentially a more responsive
fulfilment service and enjoy a simpler, lower
cost process. It is anticipated that the
cross-docking service would cost between 2.5-4
of product value which should be more than
compensated for by supplier cost savings.
(Already pilot-proven by the GSTT experience
outlined above). - To be able to deliver such a step change a
critical mass will need to be reached before
volumes are sufficient to drive savings. For
this reason, such an initiative may need to be
led regionally by an SHA or nationally by the
Commercial Directorate or PASA.
37Appendix 1 2004-05 NHS Spend by Category (excl
Drugs)
38Appendix 2a Hampshire, IOWOrder Process 2001/02
39Appendix 2b Hampshire, IOW EDC Mat man v Paper
Other Suppliers 2001/2
40Appendix 2c Hampshire, IOW Comparison Summaries
2003
41Appendix 3 South East CoastStrategic Health
Authority
42Appendix 4(a) Ward Stock Southampton University
Hospital
43Appendix 4(b) Theatre Stock
44Appendix 5(a) Hospital Supply ChainCost Elapse
Time
45Appendix 5b Hospital Supply Chain Process Cost
Comparison
46Appendix 6 Analysis ofPharmacy Supply Chain
47Appendix 7 - Hospital Supply Chain Pharmacy
Processes
48Appendix 8 - Summary of 3 Trusts Pharmacy Supply
Chain Best PracticeReports Pilot Study 2005
49Appendix 9 - Wards and Theatres Throughputs
Volumes and Values
50Appendix 10 - Wards TheatresSupplier Channel
Option Costing
51Appendix 11 - Pharmacy Throughputs, Volumes and
Values
52Appendix 12 Pharmacy SupplierChannel Option
Costing
53Appendix 13 Trust SupplyChain Savings
54Appendix 14 NHS SupplyChain Cost Model 2001
55Appendix 15 Web Sources
56Appendix 16(a) Document Sources
57Appendix 16(b) Document Sources