In October 2006, a number of procurement activities formerly managed by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency transferred to the NHS supply chain. The categories into which most of the items mentioned fall were part of that transfer. In addition, computer equipment is procured on behalf of Government by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).
Regarding the prices that are paid, these will vary according to whether or not a trust chooses to use NHS supply chain, or OGC frameworks, or to purchase goods and services directly from suppliers. There is no mandate to the national health service to use either service. Therefore it is not possible to calculate an established purchasing price given the number of purchasing points across the service.
However, I can provide the standard prices as set out by both NHS supply chain and the OGC for the items mentioned. Note that prices would reduce as quantities increased.
Item Specification Standard cost (£) Comment Desktop computer TBC Dell Optiplex 745 DT/SF/MT Chassis: minimum specification determined by Connecting for Health and trusts 388.00 Delivered price Office chair Sara-PS4000 Swivel, 5 year guarantee (supplied by GGI Office Furniture 43.00 Price negotiated by NHS supply chain; delivered directly by supplier to trusts A can of beans Heinz Beans 2.6 kg tin 1.30 Delivered price1 Photocopy paper Box of 5 reams 80 g 8.40 Delivered price1 Print cartridge HP No.45/51645A 13.40 Delivered price1 1 Delivered prices allow for the cost of the item, delivery within 48-hours and—if required—packaged to ward level. This means that trusts do not have to have vast supplies depots.