Barclay, who served as health secretary under Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, told The Telegraph said health service bosses could save money, cut waiting lists and improve clinical outcomes by contracting with local suppliers, rather than overseas providers who charge higher fees.

He told the newspaper: ‘A government that claims to want to drive UK growth needs to stop spending money on overseas companies that are not committed to the NHS, and prioritise British business.

"A government that claims to want to cut wastage needs to ensure value for money for the taxpayer."

He highlighted the expenditure on electronic patient records (EPR).

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that some NHS trusts are spending up to £4.3m a year on EPR contracts with overseas suppliers, despite alternative offers from UK-based tech companies.

However, Barclay told The Telegraph that the NHS needed to overhaul its procurement to ensure the right technology was being bought at a fair price.

He said: "Harnessing technology and deploying it swiftly and effectively across the NHS could transform the service, cut waiting lists, and improve clinical outcomes.

"However, we can do this whilst getting more bang for the taxpayer buck. It needs to be the right technology, at the right price, designed with the specific needs of our NHS in mind."

Meanwhile, Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock James McMurdock, wrote on X: ‘We need a deep and transparent discussion around how the NHS functions operationally and what contracts it signs. The NHS should not be paying £££s for things that can be bought off the shelf for pennies.'

In response, an NHS spokesman, told The Telegraph: "While the NHS prioritises British businesses when appropriate, it is right we offer contracts based on what offers the best value for the taxpayer – in line with Cabinet Office procurement regulations."