EMRAD first came together as a consortium of NHS trusts to procure a new picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Due to the cost-effectiveness of organisations teaming up to buy a single solution, saving an estimated £30 million over a ten-year period, the value of joint procurement was realised. A framework contract has since been created which enables any other NHS trusts to take advantage of the same arrangement.
There have been similar opportunities for trusts to benefit from buying at scale. The Network has recently struck a deal to buy image-viewing diagnostic monitors that has saved an estimated £1,000 per item. We are currently scoping a strategy, being led by medical diagnostics colleagues, to replace some of the older equipment in the region. There will be further opportunities in the future for organisations within the consortium to work together to procure services at a more cost-effective rate than they could achieve as a single buyer.