North West Ambulance Service implements inventory management solution

Published: 27-Mar-2018

Trust becomes first to implement GS1 standard


North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) has selected Ingenica Solutions to implement inventory management solution, Ingenica 360.

The move is part of the trust’s plans to use innovative technology to secure greater efficiency and productivity gains.

Ingenica 360 enables NWAS to track and trace all inventory to the patient level, from low-value items such as syringes and dressings to higher-value medical equipment such as cardiac monitors.

While the Government has mandated the implementation of GS1 standards across NHS trusts; it is not as yet mandatory for ambulance trusts, and therefore implementing Ingenica 360, the first GS1 certified solution in the UK healthcare market, places NWAS ahead of the game.

There are a couple of firsts here; it’s the first time Ingenica Solutions has partnered with an ambulance service; and we believe that NWAS will become the first ambulance service to implement GS1 standards

The implementation will be provided as a phased approach. Phase 1 will see the solution introduced into three main store locations. Phase 2 will see the solution rolled out to ambulance hubs; and while phase 3 expands to all 1,000 ambulances.

Dan Garvey, procurement manager at the trust, said: “For NWAS, managing stock over many sites and vehicles has, in the past, presented a challenge.

“Ingenica Solutions will help us tackle this area by enabling us to have greater visibility and control over our inventory, while also reducing costs and wastage.”

Nicola Hall, managing director at Ingenica Solutions, added: “North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is one of the largest ambulance trusts in England and so it’s an enormous privilege to be awarded this contract.

“There are a couple of firsts here; it’s the first time Ingenica Solutions has partnered with an ambulance service; and we believe that NWAS will become the first ambulance service to implement GS1 standards.”

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