The report highlighted that senior clinicians have "raised concerns over clinical safety issues. Essential medical supplies have been lacking and too many operations have been cancelled as a result. Women in labour have been forced to wait while epidural equipment was borrowed from other hospitals. Other patients have been denied chest drains and radiology supplies."
Joel Haspel, CEO, Sentient Health, warns that other NHS Trusts should take heed from the findings of this shocking report. "There is a big push to focus on delivering cost savings across the NHS - but not to the detriment of patient safety. Trusts need to recognise the significance of the role that effective stock control plays in patient safety.
"By automating the supply chain, using a managed inventory service (MIS) such as MedTrac®, stock levels can be carefully managed to avoid items been over ordered or running out.
"A recent study highlighted that the NHS currently wastes between £275m -£300m a year by over ordering alone."
Haspel continued: "Cardiology departments for example, may have supplies in a number of theatres, labs as well as in the main stock room. An effective MIS system can assess where and when the surgical items are most frequently needed, so stock piles can be streamlined in terms of location as well as quantity.
"Following the findings of this report - we hope trusts will push supply chain optimisation higher up their priority agenda," he concluded.
For further information, please visit:
http://www.sentienthealth.co.uk
About Sentient Health
Established in 1999, Sentient Health is a leading provider of healthcare supply chain solutions. It improves financial performance by enhancing operational efficiency. Sentient Health solutions are used throughout the healthcare supply chain, in the hospital at a ward level, at the distributor's warehouse, in transit and in the field.
Sentient Health is a recognised thought leader, being amongst the most innovative companies in its field and constantly working with clients to develop even more effective ways to manage their supply chains.
MedTrac® is a software service that enables the management of medical supplies throughout the supply chain down to the hospital ward and tracks product consumption by patient, procedure and doctor. Customers using MedTrac® improve their financial performance through improved inventory performance and reduced write-offs. The service model allows for limited up-front investment with immediate gains; ROI has historically been less than one year.