Five company comments from Medilink North West:

I can confirm that the NHS pay us promptly, usually within 45 days Sometimes sooner providing they do not have a query on the invoice. Then it becomes a different story as it can take two months to sort out the problem because of their internal systems and procedures.

We find the NHS are our worst customers for delaying payments. The Northwest hospitals are good and generally pay on 30 days from invoice date. The other hospitals in the UK can be anywhere between 60 days and 185 days with lots of chasing. From our experience London and Belfast are the ones which hold up payment. Our payment terms are 30 days from invoice date.

NHS Trust - invoiced on 14/09/09 for payment by return. Payment cleared in account 23/11/09 NHS Foundation Trust - invoiced on 14/09/09 for payment by return. Payment not yet received. University - invoiced on 12/09/09 for payment by return. Payment cleared in account 12/10/09.

Our terms and conditions ask for payment within 30 days of invoice. Some clients stipulate that they will pay within 60 days, but we have found they are often open to meeting in the middle if asked.

As an SME, our experience of being paid by government departments has has varied from organisation to organisation (within the NHS). We offer 30 day terms to our NHS clients and the majority of them settle exactly on the due date as expected.