HOSPITAL SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2881, 20 September 1916, Page 6

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES

SYSTEM OF CO-OPERATIVE BUYING PROPOSED

A MOVE FOR ECONOMY

Tho following is a copy of a. memorandum which lias been prepared by Mr. J. Coylo (secretary of the Wei- , lington Hospital Board) for circulation j to other Hospital' Boards in New Zea- t land. It relates to "a proposal to hold a conference of representatives from all the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, in tho Dominion for the purpose of considering the question of establishing or formulating a co-opera-tivo scheme for purchasing hospital supplies." "A scheme of co-operative buying," states tho circular, "has boon in force amongst certain London hospitals lor somo years past. The largest''hospital in the group takes tho initiative and calls for tenders —the supplies to be delivered at tho subsidiary hospitals as required. Tho large hospital examines tho tenders and samples and mates tho . decision. Apart from this, each in- , stitution is quite independent, Keeping ' its own books and dealing direct -with the contractor. Each institution has the same privileges as if it were a large buyer, and has the benefit of tho technical knowledge and experience possess- , ed by the big hospital. In Now York there exists an association of hospitals, known as tho Hospital Bureau of Standards and Supplies. This co-opera-tive organisation purposes to secure to the associated hospitalr. the advantages of co-operation in establishing uniform standards as to quality and kind o"f supplies ordinarily used therein, anil of purchasing the same in accordance with definite specifications under continuing or other agreements, and for the purpose of promoting economical and efficient administration. Tho various articles used in hospitals aro standardised, and contracts arc made with various manufacturers to supply all the associated hospitals at lowest wholesale- rates. Some sixty-eight con. tracts are in force, covering such articles as absorbent cotton, alcohol, aluminium cooking utensils, bath, towels, blankets, brushwaro, chemicals, and drugs, chinaware, glass bottles, hardware, table linen, paints, preserves, rubber goods, etc. The standards recommended, based on interchange of in. formation regarding practice, quality, and experience, have an educational value' -which is worthy of consideration in connection with the economies secured. In Melbourne a Hospital Board of Supplies has been in existence during the last three years._ One of the most important conveniences lias been tho standardisation of such important lines as surgical dressings, drugs, drapery, etc. By standardising tho various articles to suit the needs of all institutions sorved enables contracts to be fixed for larger quantities _ at correspondingly lower figures. NotwithStanding tho abnormal conditions which havo prevailed .owing to tho war, this board claims it has been instrumental in saving to tho metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne the sum of £5500 on ono item alone, viz., dressings and drugs. In Sydney there is an Advisory Board, comprising the secretaries of the principal metropolitan hospitals, which confers with the Minister of Publio Health in regard to provisions of food supplies' and drugs, and other matters. Recently tenders for drugs wore invited on behalf of tho Government institutions and the hospitals by the Government, through their representatives in Groat Britain and the United States of America, for the supply of all tho drugs . which it was deemed wise to obtain in this way, while tenders were at tho same time invited locally. Cable gross quotes were received from Great Britain and America at the same timo as from local drug houses, and the executive committee were able to arrange for their purchases at the lowest pos- - sible market prices obtained on one day from the tlfreo, continents, viz., America, Great Britain, and Australia. A satisfactory arrangement has thus been made by the joint hospitals and Government institutions under which it has been made possible to procure supplies of, drugs at tho lowest possible ratos for a period of twelve months. "At the New Zealand Hospitals Con. feronce, held in Wellington, in June, 1911, the following resolutions wore adopted: "That it is desirable that the boards should combine for the purpose of letting a contract for supply of leading lines of drugs and, dressings to the hospitals of the Dofninion.'' and 'that it is desirable that the duty on the various materials required for hospitals be removed.' Owing to tho war tho present timo may not be considered opportune for the establishment of a scheme for co-operativo buying, as prices fluctuate so rapidly and conditions aro abnormal. But it is essential that steps be taken, as early as possible, to devise some method or system to standardise various articles (especially drugs and dressings, surgical instruments and appliances, disinfectants, textile fabrics, crockery, stationery, etc.) to suit the needs of the institutions; to arrange for dealing direct with manufacturers or agents; and to obtain admission duty free all goods imported for the solo uso of hospitals. Should sufficient support hh forthcoming, it is proposed that the. conference should take placo at' Wellington in January next year."