In response to Lord Carter's review of efficiency in hospitals, healthcare company B. Braun delivered a training and awareness session at the Royal Society of Medicine in London to help 40 delegates from NHS Trusts better understand the demands of the e-procurement market.

Ian Duncalf Sales and Marketing Manager Anaesthesia and I.V pharma, said: “Lord Carter’s report set out a number of objectives for the NHS and one was specifically about encouraging trusts to embrace the e-procurement market.

“But we were also aware that there is some confusion around these demands and in light of these objectives we organised the free session which, based on the feedback we’ve had, proved to be hugely beneficial.”

The event was aimed at purchasing pharmacists and purchasing technicians and was split into two sessions so that as many delegates from Trusts as possible could attend. Speakers included representatives from GHX who make the Powergate e-ordering and e-invoicing system which Trusts are increasingly switching over to.

Other speakers included Frankie Wallace, eProcurement Specialist from the Department of Health, and Process Manager Malcolm Dobson who explained and demonstrated what B. Braun are doing to help move Trusts across to digitalised ordering.

Ian said: “We’re aware from our day-to-day dealings that some Trusts are still faxing orders – and many that have moved across to e-ordering and invoicing have only had a brief run-through how the system works and not much training beyond that. As a result, Trusts are over-ordering and not working as efficiently as they could be.

“At this session we had a 45-minute slot for a Q&A which turned into two hours so clearly Trusts very much needed more training in how to use e-systems! One delegate told us that while they have been using the Powergate system, they weren’t using it efficiently enough as our training had reduced the steps they usually went through from 20 to two.

“Our first training session in Sheffield was really popular and we held this one in London, so the southern Trusts could attend. The majority of the delegates were from Trusts across London, but delegates came from as far as Norfolk, Suffolk and Oxford.

“We are planning another later in the year  in Birmingham so we can reach Trusts in the Midlands, too.”

As part of the global B. Braun group, B. Braun in the UK is a leader in key market areas including computer navigated orthopaedic surgery, needle safety technology, surgical instrumentation, sterile technology and disinfection and hygiene.