NHS Marketisation Monitoring News

Issue #1 (11/10/2014)

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Welcome to Issue #1 of NHS Marketisation Monitoring News!
This newsletter aims to update its readers on the latest news on the marketisation of services within the
NHS.
To start the process, a database of all 147 NHS Foundation Trusts has been created and FoI requests, on the
out-sourcing of contracts, has been made to each Trust.
The newsletter will be published weekly and it will list the latest information received from Trusts.
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Summary
When making a FoI request, details are sought of all contracted-out services. This includes maintenance,
domestic, clinical, administrative, medical, care, consultancy and any other services. Unfortunately, in the
first instance, some Trusts are sending details of maintenance contracts only resulting in further queries.
Trusts are examined to see if they have a publication scheme and disclosure log in place as required by FoI
legislation. Also, Monitor require evidence of transparency of decision-making and this should be evident
on their website (some Trusts are actually using this section to show details of tenders and this should be
considered good practice). Observance of FOI and Monitor guidelines are far from consistent and websites
show erratic responses to them. In future, it may prove useful to give each Trust a 1-4 compliance rating for
ease of overall assessment.
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Trust: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Comments: Range of maintenance and financial services
Publication Scheme: No
Disclosure Log: No
Transparency: No
Action: Query

Trust: Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

NHS_Marketisation_News_#1 Dr. Geoffrey A. Walker 01/12/201401/12/2014

Comments: Reference to radiology and disposal of clinical waste only

Publication Scheme: Yes
Disclosure Log: No
Transparency: No
Action: Query

Trust: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Comments: Details of 19 contracted-out services identified
Publication Scheme: Yes
Disclosure Log: No
Transparency: No
Action: NFA

Trust: Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Comments: Indicated that a charge of 320 would be made to retrieve the information. Declined payment.
Suggested that they considered keeping a basic spreadsheet of contracted-out services. FoI Administrator
said she would pass this idea on to the relevant Department.
Publication Scheme: Yes
Disclosure Log: Yes
Transparency: Yes
Action: NFA
Trust: Birmingham Womens NHS Foundation Trust
Comments: 2 contracted-out services only: BoC for oxygen and Virgin Business for broadband
Publication Scheme: No
Disclosure Log: No
Transparency: No
Action: Query

NHS_Marketisation_News_#1 Dr. Geoffrey A. Walker 01/12/201401/12/2014

Trust: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Comments: Spreadsheet of more than 200 contracted-out services. Extensive use of consultants, computer
engineers and other support services. The spreadsheet appears to show pharmaceutical services as being
contracted-out to Boots Ltd.
Publication Scheme: Yes
Disclosure Log: No
Transparency: No
Action: NFA

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Any comments or suggestions regarding this newsletter should be addressed to:
Geoff Walker (geoffreyawalker@msn.com)
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NHS_Marketisation_News_#1 Dr. Geoffrey A. Walker 01/12/201401/12/2014