NHS MANAGERS hope a £500,000 deal with an Oxford printing firm will help cut the cost of producing patient leaflets.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which oversees the city's John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals, and The Horton in Banbury, has signed a contract with Oxuniprint to produce all its information pamphlets and brochures. It is hoped consolidating all the work with the company, which is part of Oxford University Press, will help reduce the overall amount spent on the essential service.

Andy Lyne, ORH head of operational procurement, said "By working closely with Oxuniprint we've been able to strengthen our already strong links with the university, gain an improvement in service and a reduction in costs.

"In addition, we've developed our association with a local supplier, something that's very important to us. Our relationship with the local community is vital and we're very keen to strengthen this wherever we can."

Oxuniprint printing services director George Thomas said "We're delighted to have won this contract and to have the opportunity to develop further our relationship with the ORH and the NHS."