Megan Main, CEO and Richard Bowen, Manager Data, Systems and Reporting, are looking forward to presenting at the Global GS1 Healthcare Conference in Sydney from 20-22 March. 

Entitled, “When Supply Chain Meets eHealth”, the conference brings together Healthcare supply chain stakeholders to advance the development and adoption of global standards. Whilst the focus of the HPV presentations will be the National Product Catalogue and our Victorian Product Catalogue, the conference programme covers industry and regulatory developments in automatic identification, traceability and electronic product catalogues.

The conference also provides an ideal networking and benchmarking opportunity as to date representatives from all over Australia and 25 other countries have registered to attend. GS1 and its partners have made the conference available free of charge to private and public hospital employees and Government representatives.

Further information is available from: http://www.gs1.org/healthcare/news_events/200412.

HPV is pleased to announce that Richard Bowen, HPV's Manager Data, Systems & Reporting, has been appointed Non-Clinical Co-Chair of the GS1 HealthCare Provider Advisory Council (HPAC).

The HPAC is a global group that shares GS1net (NPC) implementation information amongst providers of public and private healthcare services.

The HPAC is made up of thought leaders and early adopters of GS1 Healthcare Standards from the global clinical provider environment such as hospitals, retail and hospital pharmacies, clinics and care homes. Its aim is to identify projects that support the adoption of GS1 Healthcare Standards. This has an impact across healthcare by improving:

• Patient safety
• Cost efficiency
• Staff productivity. [1]

Ultimately it also enables healthcare trading partners, wherever they are in the world, to fully operate in an increasingly e-driven global supply chain reality.

As well as being a personal honour for Richard, this appointment is a reflection on HPV and our position as a leader in catalogue management and data synchronization, both in Australia, and internationally.

 [1] Source: http://www.gs1.org/healthcare/about/workteams

Recently, GS1 featured HPV's use of the National Product Catalogue (NPC) on their website www.gs1au.org The article explains the rationale for HPV's approach and provides a good introduction to our use of the GS1 Browser Template in HPV tenders. The full article can be found here. If you have any questions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Manager Data, Systems and Reporting.

This policy replaces earlier dated general Purchasing Policies. It was made to establish an effective operational and delivery strategy for HPV’s forward Prospective Tender Schedule and Confirmed Annual Tender Program. It is designated as ‘Principal’ in order to differentiate it from other Purchasing Policies which may be developed from time to time.

For more information, see the most recent Principal Purchasing Policy.

Health Purchasing Victoria presents a unique professional development opportunity for procurement professionals leading to an internationally recognised qualification

Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV) has a limited number of training places available for procurement professionals in Victorian public health services, in conjunction with selected HPV staff, to achieve a procurement qualification. In keeping with our vision to be ‘a health procurement leader in Australasia, acknowledged for innovation, ethical procurement practices and transformation of the health supply chain’ HPV has developed and received accreditation for coordination of a twelve month training program which leads to an internationally recognised qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). 

I have recently started working at Health Purchasing Victoria. Having left the ranks of the permanent full-time workforce after having our first child and not being allowed flexibility in terms of hours or responsibilities, I had worked very flexibly from home for five years. I will admit that I was concerned about the effect returning to an in-office situation was going to have on my family. I have been pleasantly surprised as I have come to realise that HPV proactively encourages a family friendly ethos and has a story that should encourage other employers to do the same.

The key to creating a family friendly workplace is directly related to the use of creativity and the ability to, where a role permits, offer flexibility around where work is done and in the support for family related issues that intersect with the workplace. It is this willingness to be creative, to find solutions that suit all parties and to overcome the “If you aren’t here, how do we know what you are doing?” mentality that sets HPV apart.

Changes in our society mean more workers have family and caring responsibilities. Almost half of working Victorians care for dependent children or other family members. Smart employers are responding to these changes by helping employees to balance their family responsibilities. Those like HPV are realising that one of the ways to attract and retain the best staff is to offer, on an individual basis, family flexible arrangements.

The first in an occasional series where we highlight job roles within the HPV office and how they impact on the tender program.

Maddie Grant – Executive Assistant

My role has recently been rebranded from ‘Office Manager’ to ‘Executive Assistant’. This was mainly due to perception of the role from outside the organisation, as office management is only a part of what this busy position entails. I provide support to the Board and the Chief Executive, Megan Main, but also support HR, our Compliance Officer, the Leadership Group and take on ad-hoc projects within the office as needed. I am the office OH&S representative, one of the building’s fire wardens and a back up first-aider. My days are varied, challenging and no two are the same!

My duties are wide-ranging, and include everything from collecting the post, to minute taking at the Board and its sub-committee meetings. I am also the ‘go-to’ person for external contractors, our Property Manager, recycling collections, and also stationery/office supply ordering. I’ve only let us run out of tea bags once, but I’m sure I won’t be allowed to forget it. Some of the projects I’ve participated in since my arrival at HPV are the kitchen re-fit; coordinating the Strategic Procurement Forum; the website upgrade and our office refit. I’m currently working on understanding PROV guidelines for documentation storage and destruction; collating the Annual Report and Compliance Surveys, and updating our emergency evacuation plans. In addition I am writing instructions both for the website and this role, as I’m also busy cooking a baby and will be heading off on maternity leave in June.

To subscribe to have HPV Update emailed to you each month, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Executive Assistant at Health Purchasing Victoria.