ABSTRACT

First published in 1979, Supplies Management for Health Services looks at the characteristics and problems of hospital suppliers and examines the way in which the hospital and the National Health Service deal with supplies problems and relations with suppliers. Beginning with a description of the National Health Service and its supplies’ organisations and the role of the Department of Health and Social Security in this field, the book then reports on the detailed studies made over two years of the supplies’ problems of ten London area health authorities and ten London manufacturers of medical equipment.

The NHS situation is then contrasted with the supplies’ situation in three non-health organisations and with the health supplies situation in France and West Germany. The final part of the book analyses the information obtained, proposes a means of assessing supplies systems, and evaluates the NHS situation. This is followed by the realistic proposals for reform, advocating a system similar to that used in British defence services, based on a central procurement agency, close cooperation with private manufacturers, and manufacture by government where necessary. This book will surely interest students of economics and global health.

part One|90 pages

The National Health Service

chapter 1|5 pages

The Study of Health Service Supplies

chapter 2|8 pages

Assessing Supplies Systems

chapter 4|7 pages

The Minister and the Industry

chapter 5|23 pages

Contracts and Contractors

chapter 6|28 pages

Ten Areas and Their Suppliers

part Two|70 pages

The Suppliers

chapter 7|10 pages

The Product and the User

chapter 8|17 pages

The Health Care Supply Industries

chapter 9|41 pages

Ten Suppliers of Electromedical Equipment

part Three|38 pages

Other Supplies Systems

chapter 10|18 pages

Three British Systems

chapter 11|13 pages

Hospital Health Supplies in France

chapter 12|5 pages

Hospital Supplies in West Germany

part Four|29 pages

Dangers and Opportunities

chapter 13|10 pages

The Present Position

chapter 14|17 pages

Practice and Theory