Leasing companies could provide vital support to the NHS by releasing the public body’s “frozen capital”, according to a recent report published by Siemens Financial Services (SFS).
The report, Frozen Capital in Healthcare: An Update, estimates that £1.8 billion (€2.1 billion) of NHS capital is tied up “inefficiently”, adding that future shortfalls in public coffers may force the public body to seek more cost-effective means of funding technology.
The report argues that regular technological advances often mean that machines are outdated within 12 months of purchase. This leaves health authorities under pressure to find ways to finance up-to-date replacements.
General manager for public sector at SFS, David Martin, commented: “Leasing and rental are important tools which help healthcare systems afford the most up-to-date equipment and medical technology, as well as rapidly improving efficiency.”
Sophie Helyer