ABSTRACT
The main motivation behind the involvement of all parties in total purchasing was the opportunity to improve upon the existing methods of purchasing and hence improve patient care. Total purchasing extends the scheme to cover all areas of the hospital and as a consequence entails significantly greater quantities of data to be collected, from a wide range of new areas. The main areas that will require immediate additional resources will be the information and data collection areas, but they may also include additional administrative support for clinical staff in patient areas. The additional quantities of data will highlight a number of areas, one in particular being that data should be collected electronically, as close to the patient as is possible, and preferably while the patient is actually present. Front-line contracting and negotiating staff must have the right qualities, skills, knowledge and decision making capabilities so that they gain the confidence of general practitioners and practice managers.
