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NHS Foundation Trust sets industry benchmark

P R E S S   R E L E A S E 

 

Issued: 22/10/2007

For immediate release

 

 

NHS Foundation Trust sets industry benchmark

 

 

Knee Prosthesis

 

In early 2007 The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust reviewed their existing knee prosthesis and decided to standardise to a single type.  The Trust took this project further and tendered this category using an eAuction to ensure optimum results were achieved.

 

This groundbreaking project, worth £1.2m, set an industry benchmark: Orthopaedic prosthesis had never been acquired this way in the public sector before. Due to the complexity of the project it was important to have industry specialists on hand. A decision was made to utilise e-Three to manage the process.

 

Individual approach

 

From pre-qualification stage to post auction, e-Three managed the full project.

A tailor-made eAuction structure was developed and delivered to the client. e-Three issued detailed instructions on the content of the eAuction, followed by extensive training of each supplier.  It was crucial to ensure that every supplier was fully informed at each stage of the project, guaranteeing that all bases were covered and that every company would be able to take part.  In addition to this, suppliers were able to post questions online at any time.

 

Remarkable Results

 

The eAuction, held in May 2007 was a resounding success, with 100% supplier participation and significant savings of 30%.  Over all, the introduction of eSourcing to this organisation has proved the process to be an efficient and effective procurement method.  The client has delivered significant and sustainable benefits to their business, including a more open and auditable buying method. They have achieved greater potential to obtain competitive pricing and greater awareness of the marketplace.

 

Andy O'Connor, Head of Procurement explained:

"We saw the renewal of our Knee Prosthesis contract as a great opportunity not only to standardise to one supplier, but also to make great savings. The eAuction process enabled us to negotiate with suppliers and also move away from the stranglehold of national pricing arrangements"

 

Sarah Hope, Procurement Officer added:

"eSourcing allowed COCH to really take charge of their tender process. Conforming with EU directives utilising a transformation eAuction made it very clear to the supply base that 1st place would win. This fuelled the eAuction helping to achieve savings and also produced a clear auditable process.”

 

Following this the success the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have now gone on to purchase a three year licence for e-Three’s sourcing platform to build on this achievement.

 

---ENDS---

 

---NOTES FOR EDITORS---

e-Three is a Spend Management company.  We help organisations improve the way they spend their money with suppliers, realising significant cost savings whilst protecting or increase service and product quality.  We achieve this through a combination of category expertise, process knowledge and best-of-breed technology.

 

---CONTACT---

e-Three, Stephan Steijger, Sourcing Manager, Golden Cross House, 8 Duncannon Street, London WC2N4JF, T: 020 7484 5594, M: 07896 690029, stephan.steijger@e-three.com, www-e-three.com.