The newly-launched NHS CPC Drive provides a single platform that will deliver a range of fleet services available to any of the 400-plus NHS Trusts nationally.

The intention is to deliver best value to the NHS through the provision of cost-effective car leasing, salary sacrifice cars and the management of grey fleet vehicles, as well as meeting duty of care obligations and reducing carbon footprint, costs and administration, and improving the driver experience.

Tusker will also be providing an electronic, web-based expenses system to NHS CPC Drive in conjunction with leading HR software solutions provider, NorthgateArinso, to deliver reduced administration and processing costs and improve claims accuracy.

So far, three NHS Trusts – the Yorkshire and Humberside Strategic Health Authority, NHS Leeds and the Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust (PFT) – have signed up to the lease car scheme, covering a total of 750 cars.

In addition, two trusts, Leeds PFT and Queen's Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn, between them covering 5,400 employees, have signed up to the salary sacrifice scheme.

Julian Clarke, head of fleet services at NHS CPC Drive, said the new initiative was intended to provide more efficient buying for a range of fleet services for NHS Trusts throughout the UK.

'Accessing the existing National framework for Lease Cars incurs hidden costs that impact on NHS Trusts' bottom line. The CPC identified ways to access the best of public sector terms with the minimum of administration costs. We also have the situation where a considerable percentage of our business travel spend is on the grey fleet, where doctors, nurses and other essential care workers are using their own vehicles as part of their duties and claiming back a mileage rate.

'We wanted to provide an online all-embracing fleet services solution which covered lease cars, grey fleet, salary sacrifice cars and an electronic expenses system to NHS Trusts to take control of their business travel spend and deliver considerable savings which can be released to improve frontline services for patients,' he said.

NHS CPC Drive is communicating the new service to NHS Trusts via a series of media channels, including a regular magazine, emails and networking groups for members.

'We have been very pleased by the initial uptake, and are confident that much larger numbers amongst NHS Trusts will take up the new service,' added Mr Clarke.