NHS Supply Chain CEO welcomes publication of Ten Year Plan

Andrew New, chief executive of NHS Supply Chain, has released a statement welcoming the publication of the Ten Year Plan which aims to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the UK. 

Obesity is one of the root causes of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. With the UK now having the third highest rate of adult obesity in Europe, it remains a critical public health challenge, costing the NHS £11.4 billion a year, three times the NHS budget for ambulance services. 

New commented: “As the NHS continues to evolve through its three strategic shifts – moving care closer to communities, embracing digital innovation, and focusing on prevention – NHS Supply Chain is strategically aligned with these national priorities and is playing a vital role in supporting this transformation.

“We’re actively expanding our capabilities to enable care outside of hospital settings. We’re streamlining digital processes and enabling remote diagnostics, which improve efficiency. Additionally, we are leveraging our data to support system-wide optimisation and enable remote monitoring solutions.

“Examples of how we’re already working in partnership with national and local teams across the country to support the plan’s priorities include providing the NHS with vital equipment for community diagnostic centres, supplying cutting edge machines to hospitals such as DEXA scanners which diagnose osteoporosis, and radiography machines for the treatment of patients with cancer. Other initiatives include digital mammography and value-based procurement.

“As our organisation changes to meet the evolving needs of the NHS, we remain committed to delivering quality, safe, sustainable, resilient products and supply chains to contribute to a more sustainable, resilient and future-ready healthcare system.”