Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has entered into a three-year purchasing commitment with medical pulp supplier VERNACARE in a bid to achieve long-term savings.
Marko Kyronlahti, specialist portfolio manager for the Trust, explains: “This volume based cost reduction ensures sustainable savings to meet our cost reduction targets, while giving the Trust access to medical pulp which is meeting the high standards expected. Vernacare also provides vital ‘soft’ benefits to the Trust through the product training and education its account managers provide, and the commode and sluice room audits it carries out as part of its service. The ongoing support from Vernacare is very valuable to the Trust.” Before committing to Vernacare the Trust trialled another brand of pulp but returned to Vernacare because it became evident that only its products could provide the quality assurance and reliability required to achieve standards of excellence in patient care. Vernacare’s pulp is leak-proof and is designed to work with its macerator waste disposal machines, so will not cause blockages and breakdowns which can be disruptive and costly. The company has recently introduced the Austerity Partnership scheme, designed to help NHS Trusts to meet ambitious cost reduction targets. By securing a purchasing commitment, it is able to pass on year-on-year cost reductions and rebates to the NHS.
