The health sector, and organisations operating within the sector, are continually reacting to change. Healthcare solutions partner, HealthTrust Europe (HTE), is at the centre of healthcare procurement and firmly focused on supporting and tackling the challenges ahead.
Newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Dale Robinson, tells us more.
Procurement Problems
“Procurement – and particularly healthcare procurement – is going through a period of change,” says Dale, “but for a long time the focus lay on identifying challenges and being problem-focused.“
“At HTE we are firmly focused on the future and finding effective solutions to support healthcare providers tackle their challenges”
Dale Robinson, HealthTrust Europe
HTE works with 148 acute hospitals and 140 non-acute sites across the UK to alleviate the cost pressures they face, by collaborating with product and service suppliers, negotiating cost saving opportunities, as well as getting the best terms and conditions for its members.
Dale, who recently took on the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Birmingham-based business, joined HTE as a Legal Adviser in 2012, specialising in public procurement law.
Today he focuses on doing more than just writing robust contracts.
Effective Efficiency
“Often organisations’ challenges go beyond cost saving and arise from constant change.” Dale explains.
“We help build a bridge between suppliers and healthcare providers and provide the expertise and support needed to find effective solutions. We use innovation, technology and standardisation to increase efficiency”
Dale Robinson, HealthTrust Europe
Dale elaborates on how efficiency drives productivity, but how this need not mean the end of any human elements within a business.
“For me it’s important not to lose sight of our customers’ purpose. In health that means taking a patient-centric view. Positive results by HTE means the improved delivery of patient care, higher quality and better outcomes.”
“This is key to HTE’s mission – to be committed to the care and improvement of human life.” Dale adds.
Practical Procurement
Dale gives a practical example of how HTE is helping their members by improving procurement processes and consulting on the better use of data.
“We recently worked with a customer to access our referral testing services, which is the only framework in the UK of this kind.”
“They were using 60 different suppliers, faced contract and data management issues: inconsistency with report formats, lack of visibility of spend and supply, and so on.”
“They were struggling to see past these challenges to be able to compare the different suppliers.”
Dale continues: “We helped them to take a view across the board, focusing on data and analytics and offering a solution. Their contracts were consolidated using just two key suppliers, we gave them access to spend data and managed this process from beginning to end.”
Dale makes clear how this is positively impacting patients and providers’ budgets:
“By focusing on reducing turnaround times via our framework we didn’t just give them access to a service which met their needs.”
“Rapid diagnosis and, therefore, treatment of patients who require a test means improved clinical care for that person and they are at the heart of this.”
“Of course, we are also proud our solution secured cost savings of over 30 per cent for the provider,” Dale concludes.
Discover how HealthTrust Europe could secure cost savings for you, by calling 0845 887 5000 or visiting healthtrusteurope.com.
For an additional read, please visit HealthTrust Europe Empowers Workplaces with Mental Health Positivity.
