The Supplies Department for the North West Wales NHS Trust is based on the Ysbyty Gwynedd site in Bangor. It deals with many different types of commodities – food, clothing, specialist medical equipment, dressings, aids for the disabled, pathology and radiology products, cleaning materials, stationery and office equipment, catering equipment and services. The Department uses an electronic purchasing system for order processing and information. Most staff are either fully qualified as Members of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (via examination) or are part qualified, through study at Coleg Menai. The Trust has a non-pay budget of about £40M. Every year, we issue 25,000 orders for more than 75,000 products. The Supplies Department manages more than 130 contracts for goods and provides a service with support and advice for 5000 staff in the Trust. The Department has a Supplies Strategy, which is linked to the aims and objectives of the Trust. This requires formal processes to be followed for the purchase of many goods and services. Procurement is a complex process involving on-going training (supported and funded by the Trust) to keep up to date with legislation, product developments and the ever-changing opportunities in the procurement world. The Supplies Department works closely with many other departments within the Trust including Finance, Estates and Facilities, IT, Theatres, Wards and Stores. Some of the Activities of the North West Wales NHS Trust Supplies Department: - Place purchase orders on behalf of the hospitals
- Identify areas to save money
- Make long term arrangements for goods and services needed
- Keep up to date and offer advice about purchasing procedures
- Work with other Hospitals and public sector organisations such as the local council, university etc
- Analysis of data and information
- Issue formal documents and request offers from suppliers
- Administration of the contracts
- Compile statistical information
- Newsletters to show what the department is doing
- Work with other departments in the hospitals
- Purchase items for new hospitals and departments
- Interviewing suppliers’ representatives
- Maintain a catalogue library
- Provide training to hospital in staff in matters relating to purchasing
- Deal with discrepancies and queries
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