Annual Report to Members 2007
Introduction by John Wilkinson
In my comments last year I expressed dismay at the challenges that we had faced in the area of procurement. The reluctance of those involved in bringing about the changes in the NHS procurement landscape to engage with stakeholders posed significant challenges for the industry. One year later things are looking more positive.
There are promising signs that a more enlightened and collaborative environment is emerging. The ‘benefits framework’ that emerged in the last days of the Healthcare Industries Task Force implementation seems to have widespread support in principle. There now appears to be general agreement that policy work is needed in the area of procurement, so that architecture and objectives align better with the goals of the NHS. Your Association intends to be at the centre of this activity, delivering well-balanced understanding of the industry drivers and working to align these with the needs of the NHS and the nation as a whole.
Much has been achieved in a broader sense. At the year-end, we now have a strategic platform for the industry to talk to Government via the Ministerial Strategy Group and reports by Sir David Cooksey and Lord Darzi have emphasised the importance of technology in both the creation of a sustainable and high quality NHS and as a driver for the future UK economy. The door is open for enlightened and constructive dialogue and your Association is committed to informing, educating and delivering creative well-formed practical and policy input to a broad spectrum of Government, NHS, clinical and patient stakeholders.
The team at the Association have earned my heart-felt thanks for moving the organisation a further step forward in terms of professionalism. This is reflected by the comments that I receive from both stakeholders and our members. Finally, my thanks go to the members who provide energy, advice and support in all that we do. I hope that you will find that this report provides some insight into the vast array of vital activities that we are engaged in on your behalf.