Bringing healthshare NSW procurement into the 21st century

Abstract

The paper examines the procurement function within HealthShare NSW which is going through some fundamental changes in the way it practices procurement. The approach taken is to look at each major set of common issues, ideas, approaches and strategies as building blocks, each one forming a essential part of a foundation that will enable the procurement function to achieve the challenges it faces. By introducing category management as a fundamental underpinning of its procurement and sourcing activity, HealthShare NSW will see some major changes in the way it interacts with its stakeholders and suppliers. The development and improvement in a wide range of capabilities will increase the quality of outcomes delivered to NSW Health. Similarly, the improvement in analytical capability will provide the information needed to drive savings, better reporting and opportunity identification for LHDs. Also with better communication and collaboration with its essential stakeholders and suppliers, HealthShare NSW will be able to deliver outcomes that meet the varied needs of stakeholders while getting the best out of suppliers. The approaches and strategies being applied to manage through and implement these changes are explained including the implications and difficulties faced. Seeing these changes as building blocks helps visualise how they all interact and how each block supports the other, and that all are necessary to achieving the overall goals of HealthShare NSW.