Designers call for clarification on P21

HD, Feb 2005

The design industry is looking to the Department of Health to clarify whether Procure 21 will continue to exist following the demise of the Agency in April this year.

Head of business development at leading health architect Nightingale Associates, Alistair Cory, told HD that his firm was "definitely looking for clarification," and has received less than conclusive responses from secretary of State John Reid's office. "It would be disappointing if it didn't continue, because it's finally getting a foothold," he said.

While Cory said there remained problems within the initiative over issues such as competition, his firm, which is involved with four principal supply chain partners (PSCPs), "was very keen to know where Procure 21 is going to end up." Architect at MAAP Christopher Shaw told HD that Procure 21 is "a very good thing, a breath of fresh air and much more about partnering" and that he could understand PSCPs wanting reassurance about its future. "£45,000 per quarter is a hell of a fee," he said, referring to the amount paid by PSCPs to the Government to remain on the national framework.

In addition, Rudi Klein, chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contrators Group was reported as saying: "Both Procure 21 and the construction industry need reassurance that the Department realises how important this initiative is and that it will not be diluted by the break-up of NHS Estates." An anonymous source told HD that the situation between individuals charged with progressing P21 such as Brian Coapes at NHS Estates and the Department of Health's PFI Unit, regarding the future of the P21 project, was "a minefield."

Addressing rumours that P21 work could be divided regionally instead of having 12 teams for the nationwide framework, Don Ward, chief executive of industry reform group Be, warned: "Breaking up Procure 21 into regions will not add any efficiency to the programme."

An 'at risk' notice was issued to Procure 21 staff at NHS Estates in January, prompting concern that they were to lose their jobs and the initiative was to be put on ice. However an NHS spokesman said: "An 'at risk' notice is a legal requirement. It is not a redundancy notice. The Department will seek to reduce any redundancies." He added: "We hope to finalise the arrangements for all NHS staff by the end of March."