NHS Wales sets up shared services board

7 Oct 10
A committee of health chiefs is to develop the shared services programme across the whole of the NHS in Wales.
By Vivienne Russell

7 October 2010

A committee of health chiefs is to develop the shared services programme across the whole of the NHS in Wales.

In an October 5 statement, Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart said the new NHS Wales Shared Services Committee would allow health boards and trusts to concentrate on running frontline services ‘without the distraction of running non-clinical functions’.

The committee will comprise the chief executive of each of Wales’ health boards and trusts, or their nominated representatives. It will be chaired by a non-executive director of the NHS National Delivery Group.

It is expected to save £14.5m over the five years from 2011/12. This will be achieved through greater standardisation of processes, improved use of technology and better procurement.

‘I wanted to avoid a top-down solution where decisions were seen to be imposed on the service, and savings top-sliced,’ Hart said. ‘I have, therefore, decided on a governance model that allows the NHS to own these shared services. A model that will allow the service to benefit directly from speedy implementation of new ways of working – which cuts out waste and duplication.’

The minister’s decision follows a consultation on improving efficiency and reducing bureaucracy in NHS Wales. The committee will be formally established in April 2011.

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