NHS procurement is changing significantly nationally, regionally and at Trust level as the NHS attempts to maximise its purchasing power.

The budget for the NHS in England for 2011-12 is around £104 billion, of which around £20 billion will be spent on goods and services. All NHS expenditure is coming under close scrutiny following the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010 and the subsequent NHS savings target of £20 billion by 2015.

In its Health and Social Care Bill, the Coalition Government outlined plans for radical changes to the structure and operation of the NHS. When implemented, these will have a significant impact on those wishing to supply to the NHS.

Suppliers to the NHS need to be aware of how the NHS is changing, both structurally and operationally, and what impact this will have on how they sell and market their products and services.

The GO NHS Procurement Conference 2011 is a must for both existing and potential suppliers to the NHS and for anyone wishing to keep up to date with developments in health care procurement at a time of radical change.