Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has agreed to fund two NHS England initiatives which aim to boost commercial capability and improve efficiency and patient care and reduce waiting lists.
CCS is set to provide NHS England with over £15 million over the next three years, to support NHS Energy Management Capability and to create a first of its kind NHS Commercial Learning & Development Academy. The Academy will offer commercial staff access to a range of learning and development opportunities to deliver a best-in-class workforce.
The training programme is intended to support the government's plan to grow the economy by ensuring that contracting authorities are able to effectively manage all the key stages of commercial delivery, while at the same time delivering wider NHS objectives, attaining better value and delivering world-class patient care.
The funding will be used to support NHS commercial and business colleagues buying and managing energy consumption, and deliver better training on best practice skills and ways of working to improve the way that energy is procured and managed in the NHS in England. It is hoped this will lead to more efficiency whilst supporting net zero ambitions.
Jacqui Rock, chief commercial officer for NHS England said: “These exciting initiatives working in partnership with Crown Commercial Service will help the NHS continue to deliver on our commitments to patients and our workforce, while providing the best value for money for the taxpayer.
“Our teams will be fully supported to deliver a best-in-class commercial function, ensuring the best purchasing decisions for the NHS and driving further efficiencies to help improve care for patients.”
David Skinner, director of business development and customer experience at CCS says: “I’m delighted that NHS England and CCS are entering into another formal partnership agreement. We’re making this investment so that we can continue to support the NHS, and enable better outcomes for our customers. CCS is passionate about our commitment to our National Health Service and working together to positively change patients’ lives.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This innovative cross-government collaboration supports our mission to build an NHS fit for the future. The initiative is an example of our government’s commitment to sustaining and growing partnerships across the NHS and arm’s length bodies that support workforce development, increase value for money and improve patient care.”
