Discover the fascinating history of the Health Care Supply Association all the way back from 1948 to the present day.
With the advent of the National Health Service in 1948 the new Hospital Management Committees were empowered to appoint Supplies Officers.
Fewer than half of the Hospital Management Committees had appointed Supplies Officers with Committees seeing it as low priority and relying on untrained clerical staff to undertake their buying and stores functions.
It was in this climate that a number of then high-profile Supplies Officers decided to join together to form an association dedicated to publicising the importance of purchasing and supply in health care and to encouraging a common structure and proper career path within the function. As a result, the National Association of Hospital Supplies Officers (NAHSO) was born in 1960.
The prime purpose of the founding members was to seek a greater recognition of the Supplies contribution and to help build a more efficient and cost-effective NHS purchasing and supply service for the future. They also drew up a Constitution covering the aims of the Association, including the key objectives of promoting professional standards and training and of establishing and maintaining links with statutory bodies and kindred professional organisations. These aims and objectives remain appropriate to the present day.
One of the most successful features of the Association has been its total commitment to education and training and to improving professional standards within the function. 1962 saw the first of the Association’s annual Summer Schools.
The Association organised its first Annual Conference- now firmly established events in the NHS Procurement calendar.
The membership and role of the Association has changed as NHS Procurement has developed and grown stronger over the years. The title became the Association of National Health Service Supplies Officers (ANHSSO).
Read John Oldham’s History of NHS Procurement 1948 to 1996
Kenneth Clarke - Minister for Health attends Conference Annual Dinner at Nottingham University speaking at the Annual Dinner.
Annual Conference moves to a commercial hotel venue for the first time from the University of Nottingham. Subsequent conferences are held in venues across the United Kingdom.
The Association builds formal links with its American sister organisation – now called The Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM). Officers from each Association build professional links and attend respective Conferences.
The title of the organisation changed to the National Association of Health Care Supplies Managers (NAHCSM).
Conference held in Northern Ireland and Secretary of State – Peter Brooke attends under heavy security.
Conference held in Northern Ireland again.
Membership is opened to all grades of NHS procurement staff removing the previous grade based approach.
Title of the organisation is changed to the Health Care Supply Association.
In addition, and in recognition of the increasing professionalism of its membership, the Association affiliated with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply in 1998.
HCSA President and Chairman Professor Duncan Eaton is part of the Cabinet Office Review of NHS Procurement leading to the publication of HSC 1999/143 and the creation of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency and the dissolution of the NHS Supplies Authority. Duncan becomes the first Chief Executive of the new Agency.
HCSA celebrates its Ruby Anniversary.
PASS document outlines state of play in NHS procurement
HCSA Awards are inaugurated.
The HCSA celebrated its Golden Jubilee and former Chairman - Don Greenslade reflected on 50 years of the Association in this article.
Corporate Partnership Programme commences.
HCSA gives support to the Lord Carter Interim Report on NHS Efficiency
The Health Care Supply Association receives charitable status.
HCSA adopts a new structure with the role of Chief Officer created and the Chairman role ended – Alan Hoskins becomes first ever Chief Officer. HCSA Chairman Mark Roscrow awarded MBE in June.
2017 Annual Conference in Harrogate sees unique reunion of all the leaders of the National Supplies Organisation in England 1992-2010 – John Cooper ;Terry Hunt CBE; Professor Duncan Eaton; Rob Knott and Andrew Rudd.
Professor Duncan Eaton is the first recipient of the newly inaugurated President’s Award.
Lord Hunt makes an official presidential visit to the birthplace of the NHS – Trafford General Hospital spending time with the on-site Manchester University Hospital Procurement Team.
Her Majesty the Queen recognises in a letter the ‘vital work’ of HCSA Members as the President’s Award is given to the ‘whole NHS procurement and supplier community’ for supporting the national COVID response.
HCSA invests in dedicated professional Communications support.
Trustees Chairman Mark Roscrow MBE becomes a regular contributor to national and international media with regard to PPE and supply issues – the first time that the HCSA has had a strong external media profile.
Former Chairman and Executive Director-John Effingham reflects on his HCSA journey.
Diamond Jubilee HCSA logo unveiled.
To help mark the HCSA Diamond Jubilee, John Cooper reflected on a long career in NHS procurement in a series of recorded sessions. Listen to them below.
New Chief Officer Keith Rowley takes up role and appoints two Deputy Chief Officers and strengthens the Business Support Team – both changes supported by Trustees and reflect the growing influence of the Association.
The President’s Award is given to Tracey Stockwell Head of Procurement at Stockport NHS FT.
HCSA returns to a face to face Winter Conference after two years of virtual events. The Gala Dinner pays tribute to those colleagues who have passed away during the COVID-19 period.
Honorary Membership is reinstituted and awarded to Karen Conway from GHX/AHRMM and Andy Coley who supported the Association’s development and corporate services.
HCSA makes a large investment in the National Procurement Graduate Scheme reducing the cost to individual employers and ensuring 31 graduates will join the profession in September 2022.
In September 2022, HCSA President Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath PC OBE visited the new 64000sqft distribution centre for Birmingham and Solihull ICS shared procurement service with University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS FT and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Lord Hunt said: "It was a fascinating visit to see the excellent work being done in procurement in Birmingham."
Matthew Swindells named new President of HCSA as Lord Philip Hunt steps down to take the newly created role of Patron.
HCSA forms its Women's Network to represent the issues and development of women working in procurement and supply chain.
The Holiday Inn, Regent's Park in the venue for a phenomenally successful first ever HCSA Women's Network Event in May.
HCSA saddened by the loss of former Chairman Larry Petterson MBE
