Dear All,
PASA (NHS Purchasing & Supplies Agency) are currently revising/revamping our beloved PPQ (pre-purchase questionnaire) and have invited those of us who are involved to feedback on additions or design changes (if any) to the existing form.

The ebme Forum is the ideal medium for all the positive and constructive comments we can muster to improve the existing system and these will be tracked.

Key contact details are below should you wish to contact PASA directly outside of this forum for more detail.

Examples of some of the comments so far that are being considered for inclusion:

- addition of query to Suppliers wrt WEEE Directive requirements / compliance.

- anticipated working life of equipment

- price list of 10 most ordered and/or most expensive spares for equipment

- consideration of variable warranty periods (e.g. lasers) with warranty detail (exclusions)

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EMAIL: Nigel.Champken-Woods@pasa.nhs.uk
Job Title: Clinical Specialist
Department: Medical & Surgical Equipment, PASA
ph 01844 216809
fx 01844 216809
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Chris,
Does this device require consumables?
How much are they?
What are your service option / costs for 'return to base' planned maintenance, call outs/repairs?

I saw a service contract for £22K on an ultrasound machine a couple of week ago (won't name the hospital or supplier) absolutely ludicrous cost.

No wonder the tax payer is having to pay more in NI contribs

Sorry , I am rambling. This is a worthwhile subject that needs addressing. Well done and good luck to PASA for tackling this. I am sure the EBME community will help.

I have to admit that I’m not even sure what the current PPQ looks like! Are there any links available for a quick gander?

As a representative for the manufactures can I ask that due consideration is given to the person that has to fill these forms in.

In past revisions these forms have contained ambiguous questions, which are difficult to complete.

Also you should be looking for objective, rather than subject responsive.


To directly respond to Chris’s questions for inclusion;

addition of query to Suppliers wrt WEEE Directive requirements / compliance.
Make sure that this question is put in such as way that is binary answer.

anticipated working life of equipment
This is a little subjective, as working life, depends heavy on usage patterns, but I like that as it is.

price list of 10 most ordered and/or most expensive spares for equipment.
This not really a practical question to answer, as each hospital, will have different usage patterns. Also how do you complete this for new products?
Any response would just be a guess, favouring the lower cost items, and possibly never being update during the life of the PPQ. Highly subjective and giving little value.

consideration of variable warranty periods (e.g. lasers) with warranty detail (exclusions)
Good point, warranty details with exclusions should be attached.


On Johns’ points;

Do you provide a UK field service operation for the product; Yes/No

Do you provide a UK based bench service operation for this product; Yes/No

Does this device require consumables; Yes/No (Please attached a price list)
Do not ask the manufacture to workout the consumables cost, when you have not told them your usage patterns.

I also agree with a question about service contract and callout charges, at least an idea of these should be known upfront.


Some of my own suggestions;

As nearly all products these days have some form of software component;

Will all software updates during the warranty period be supplied free of charge, Parts & labour (without addition service contract); Yes/No

Will software updates after expiry of warranty be supplied free of charge, (parts only); Yes/No

Just my two penny worth.

Chilly

Sorry,
I've had to remove all these links as they are now obsolete and this post becomes meaningless.

I'd agree with John on the contract options, it would certainly save a lot of work in telephone calls if we knew up front what a contract might cost!

Also it would prevent companies from trying to sell goods in the UK without proper service provisions / support.

Chris

Thanks for the e-mail on this. I was at Carl Zeiss yesterday discussing their completion of a PPQ form for a PICO microscope system.

The PPQ is a fantastic medical devices management tool in the right hands. The form in fact dominates my life and my staffs too.

I will contact Nigel at PASA and hopefuly create a good dialogue over any revamp of the PPQ.

HUW, we produced an extension of the PPQ form some years ago, which we called the PPQ Supplement. Can I attached it to this particular topic for discussion. I can then explain its use and why it was produced, though this should be self evident.

Thanks.

Jim

Hi Jim,
Can you send it to me?
I'll see what I can do.
Cheers,
H.

Jim,
Could you email me your supplementary attachment please?

Many Thanks
Neal

Neal

Huw, is going to see if he can upload it to the EBME website for all to see.

I welcome comments of course, positive or otherwise.

If there are any problems, I will gladly e-mail a copy to you.

Jim