As part of its drive to help the NHS reach carbon net zero by 2045, NHS Supply Chain is working with suppliers to provide a range of sustainable surgical instruments that can be recycled, reused or repaired, decreasing the amount of waste going to landfill.
Both single use and reusable surgical instruments, including scalpels and blades, are widely used in all trusts and in all surgical procedures by surgeons and clinicians.
Now, a new framework with an increased choice of products including sustainable items, allows trusts to take advantage of additional services including repairs, maintenance and recycling. It also enables customers to build in suppliers and repairs to their contracts.
Mohammed Khan, Senior Category Manager, NHS Supply Chain: Sterile Intervention Equipment and Associated Consumables, said: “We are delighted to be leading the way in helping trusts meet their sustainability targets with the potential to recycle surgical instruments.
“Our suppliers are actively seeking to be more sustainable and we’re pleased to be able to work with them to bring an even greater choice of products for NHS customers than before.”
The new framework will run until August 2023.