ProCure 21 boosts speed and quality
13:41 03 Jun 2004
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ProCure 21 is slashing the time it takes to deliver NHS capital works by up to 50%, according to Peter Woolliscroft, head of partnering at NHS Estates.
Woolliscroft said an NHS Estates review of the pilot and national ProCure 21 programmes, to be published later this year, is expected to show significant improvements in delivery time and quality over conventional procurement methods.
He said: "We have yet to ratify the figures, but they are showing that ProCure 21 is taking up to half the time to complete a project, because there are no over-runs, as there are with most conventional projects. With the supply chain involved right from the start, the quality of planning and partnering means weeks are being shaved off the programme."
Woolliscroft predicted that research will also show an improvement in terms of quality. "This is not a cheaper method, but it is better value for money in terms of the quality, durability and credibility of the work. A Trust will still spend, say £3m, but under ProCure 21 it will be getting £3.5m in terms of quality."
ProCure 21 is also attracting overseas interest. A team from NHS Estates' ProCure 21 unit was recently invited to Copenhagen to talk to health ministers and officials about how ProCure 21 operates in England. Spanish health officials have also requested information on ProCure 21.
- Taylor Woodrow has landed an £8m ProCure 21 contract to deliver M&E works at Chase Farm hospital for the Enfield and Barnet NHS Trust. This is Taywood's third ProCure 21 contract under the national programme. Meanwhile, Kier has won a £2.5m contract for enabling works at Pembury Hospital for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Kier will use modular construction to build a temporary ward block at the hospital, which will be used until the PFI works at Pembury Hospital are completed.