NHS: Procurement

Mike Penning
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans there are for national emergencies within the contract for supply chain logistics due to be managed by the Supply Chain Management Division of the NHS Business Service Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bradshaw
There are no special arrangements in the NHS supply chain contract for contingency plans in the event of a national emergency. However, if required the NHS supply chain, under the direction of the NHS Business Services authority, will re-prioritise demand to ensure that emergency deliveries can be made on request and that in these circumstances delivery is to be made to the national health service within four hours of an order being placed.