PUBLIC PROCUREMENT NEWS

  

News

14 November 2012

E-learning and tutor-led training on ethical procurement for UK health staff

A training programme supporting social care staff and National Health Service (NHS) staff in the ethical procurement of goods and services has been launched in the United Kingdom. Funded by the UK Department of Health, the training supports implementation of procurement guidance provided in the Ethical Procurement for Health workbook. Published in 2011, the workbook provides practical advice for healthcare buyers, helping them to identify poor labour standards and take action through the procurement process and through better engagement with suppliers.

Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said that the NHS should be held to a high standard in its procurement practices, stating that “Poor labour standards within supply chains of products and services provided to the NHS are inexcusable.” The training is in the form of a tutor-led course accompanied by three online training modules on ethical procurement. These training modules are provided by the National Sustainable Public Procurement Programme (NSPPP) and are openly available and free of charge to all interested parties.

Minister Poulter praised the training materials, saying that through helping NHS buyers with ethical procurement they would “help to protect the health and wellbeing of workers in the supply chain”. To register for the Ethical Procurement for Health online modules or related NSPPP e-learning materials including Environmental Issues in Procurement and the Carbon Literacy E-Learning Resource follow this link.

For more information, click here.