I’ve taken over from John Cooper in leading NHS PASA during these challenging times. I have inherited a focused, committed team of professionals who remain determined to ensure best value for the NHS, the public purse and ultimately patient care.

I am writing because it is clear that some clarification and correction is required (recruiter.co.uk, ‘NHS PASA to close’, 12 May). I can confirm that NHS PASA’s functions will be transferred into other areas across the public sector procurement landscape to ensure better value and improved synergy. There is no change to our existing framework agreement policy. It is envisaged at this stage that the responsible team and national framework agreements for clinical staff will be transferred to Buying Solutions ensuring that the current expertise and market knowledge are protected and enhanced. The business as usual approach that has been adopted will ensure that the agreements are renewed in a timely manner and our existing framework agreements will remain in place ensuring continuity of service to the NHS. There is no reason to believe that quality and compliance standards will be eroded. In fact, best practice is likely to be broadened to further agreements. If the articles in Recruiter did anything, it was to inspire the NHS PASA team to work harder on the frameworks.

Of course our suppliers and stakeholders are keen to know how they will be affected. We’ve already been in contact with as much information as we have. There’s still a great deal of work to do regarding the transition and we’ll communicate new arrangements as things take shape.

David Lane, NHS PASA