Awards

An Award Winning Procurement Pedigree

Innovative procurement systems and exceptional procurement expertise enabled SureStock, in partnership with the Warrington site of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, to receive the accolade of 'Overall Winner' at the CIPS sponsored Kelly's Award's for Excellence in Purchasing and Supply in November 2001, against competition from all industry sectors. The SureStock team based at the Warrington Hospital site also won the Health category and was shortlisted for the Best People Development Initiative category and Best Partnership Initiative.

The awards, which are run in association with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, were created in 1999 to recognise the importance of the supply chain by identifying and rewarding outstanding performance in purchasing and supply. The awards are judged by an independent panel of eminent purchasing professionals who are looking for demonstrable evidence of real benefits, innovation and commercial success. More information about the awards, recently renamed 'the CIPS Supply Management Awards', can be found at www.cipsawards.com

SureStock entered the Health category citing it's contract at Warrington Hospital as an exemplar relationship. At the time of the award, the contract was for a fully outsourced procurement service to the Trust. Since the contract began, we have transformed the Trust's supply process, introducing an electronic procurement system, and focusing on critical issues in the areas of technology, processes, people and relationships.

The results have been impressive. There have been dramatic reductions in product costs, (in the first two years SureStock has saved the hospital more than twice the amount initially predicted), plus processes have become lean and cost effective and there has been an impressive increase in customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction surveys within the Trust now report a 94% 'fair and above' satisfaction rate with the service.

A major benefit for the Trust and its patients, the population of the North Cheshire area, is the increase in financial and clinical resources now being made available to the Trust as a result of the relationship.

Commenting on the award the judges said of SureStock's entry:

"This is a truly integrated partnership which has delivered measurable benefits to its customers and has outperformed its financial and business targets. Clinicians have more time to spend on patient care and the effective use of technology and streamlined supply chains have achieved a massive reduction in transaction costs. The approach to people development and training is also considered to be exemplary."