Smart buying saves £23m

MILLIONS of pounds were saved across NHS Lothian last year thanks to "smarter buying", the Scottish Government said.

Quicker re-ordering and procurement had freed up more staff time for other projects, the government added. It estimated 23 million was saved across the health service in Scotland.

NHS National Services Scotland chief executive Ian Crichton said: "We work together with boards to buy everything from bandages to blood collection systems.

"This means together we can provide quality products and services at the best prices."