Whilst NHS Trusts do their best to forecast demand, the future always remains unpredictable, especially given the unprecedented growth or sudden spikes associated with the post covid-19 patient backlog and demand, and not forgetting the nature of the ‘broken supply chain’.
With so much uncertainty in supply, especially when being so dependent on a few suppliers and, in particular, NHS Supply Chain, having alternative sourcing options and off-site storage allows the Trust to reduce the risk of discontinuity in supply and a strategy that is gaining popularity in the current market conditions.
In addition to setting up all the functionality of the hospital systems and physical infrastructure, Eleanor will also source and set up the working parameters and FTP interfaces associated with any off-site warehousing where the Trust require strategic storage and distribution of hospital inventory such as Pharmacy fluids, theatre, and critical care items to name a few. Where a Materials operative scans a department storeroom via a HOSLO system PDA, the order details are confirmed on the handheld device and transmitted via a secured FTP systems link to the off-site warehouse.
