asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the fact that payment of deficits in voluntary hospitals will in future be recouped from general taxation, he will recommend the establishment in voluntary and local authority hospitals alike of a unified system relating to the award of contracts for hospitals' supplies and requirements whereby either the conditions of advertisements by tender shall be observed or if not observed where a contract is awarded to a firm with which a member of the governing body has any business connection the reasons for the making of such award shall be made known to him and shall be available to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Contracts.
Local authorities obtain their hospitals' supplies and requirements either from official contractors under the Local Government combined purchasing scheme or under contracts placed as a result of advertisement for competitive tenders.
In 1952 the attention of the "participating hospitals", i.e., those hospitals the deficits on the working of which are paid from the Hospitals Trust Fund, was drawn to the very considerable economies in expenditure which they could effect by obtaining their supplies of certain drugs, clothing, furniture, foodstuffs and other items from the official contractors under the above scheme. Arrangements have been made whereby the official contractors will supply these hospitals on the same terms as they supply local authorities.
The Hospitals Commission has, at my request, urged the participating hospitals to take advantage of the combined purchasing scheme. Up to date 36 such hospitals have taken advantage of the scheme, nine hospitals have refused, while ten others have not indicated their decision. I am keeping the matter under review.
In regard to items not on the combined purchasing lists the placing of contracts in respect of local authority institutions is a matter for the countyor city manager concerned. So far as I am aware the question does not arise in their case but if it did I feel sure that the members of the local authority would be aware of the fact and would take appropriate action if such were necessary. In regard to participating hospitals I do not feel that I would be justified in interfering.