Member Article

Customer Satisfaction in the NHS with Software Services

Bedford Hospital NHS Trust is a 430 bed, high performing Acute NHS General hospital. The Trust hired the specialist business management services of Target with a need for a robust contracts management system.

When Bedford was considering a merger with a neighbouring Trust the due diligence requirements highlighted a need to pull all contracts into one database. As at that point contracts were held in a number of places and in different formats.

Using Target’s contracts management system, Accord, the system has helped support and benefit the Trust and now has addressed the problem. Another benefit with the system is that it enables Trusts to meet the Procurement requirements coming out of the NHS IG Toolkit.

Tom Devine, Head of Procurement at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust explains: “We wanted a simple contracts management system which included the management of maintenance contracts. Target’s Accord system is helping us manage our contracts and providing us with a robust review system. It has taken us a step forward in processing standing orders and leases; It is a very intuitive contracts management system.”

He continues: “Accord is giving us the governance we wanted, and doing exactly what it says on the tin – providing robust and simple contracts management with the opportunity to expand and develop to suit our needs. The staff love it, it’s not expensive and I would absolutely recommend the system to other Trusts. Target have not only provided an excellent system, their professionalism and project management services are brilliant. An easy company to work with, that are very helpful and supportive and deliver every time.

The contracts management system provides real time data and reporting to flag when a contract is due for renewal together with all the contract details to ensure everything complies with standards. The software provides new ways of handling and interacting with contracts and supply chain data and unlocks operational efficiencies, compliance and savings.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Olivia Davies .