Agenda

Track 1: Waste & Net Zero

Track 2: Cleaning and Hygiene

09:00 – 09:10

Chairs Introduction

Liam Hogg – Head of Net Zero Carbon Waste and Resources – NHS England

09:00 – 09:10

Chairs Introduction

Emma Brookes MSc – Head of Soft FM Strategy and Operations – NHS England

09:10 – 09:35

Progress so Far and Current Waste Priorities

Liam Hogg – Head of Net Zero Carbon Waste and Resources – NHS England

09:10 – 09:35

Cleaning and Hygiene, Current Developments

Emma Brookes MSc – Head of Soft FM Strategy and Operations – NHS England

09:35 – 10:00

Net Zero Food Programme Report – What Does Good Look Like?

The NHS has ambitious net zero targets. How do we get there for food and food preparation in the NHS? What steps are hospitals already taking and having success? What further steps could they be taking? Max will provide a closer look at some sustainable case studies and provide some data insights, highlighting ways that FM managers around the country could get more information about their net zero performance. 

Max Kindred – Estates Net Zero Senior Insight Manager – NHS England

09:35 – 10:00

Collaborative Leadership and Culture Change in Delivering Infection Prevention

This presentation will provide an overview of the journey that the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been on over the past two years; from NHS oversight through to achieving exemplar status. It will provide insight into quality improvement, increased engagement and ownership and criticality, how collaborative working changed culture.

Sian Langford – Facilities Compliance and Sustainability Manager – The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust
Anna Morris – Lead IPC Nurse – The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

10:00 – 10:35

Driving Sustainable Change in NHS Catering: The Royal Marsden Journey

This presentation outlines how The Royal Marsden’s catering team is actively contributing to NHS Net Zero goals through bold and measurable sustainability initiatives. From the early removal of single-use plastics to real-time digital ordering and emission-conscious menu changes, it charts our transition from foundational change to scalable, strategic leadership. The session will explore the operational, cultural, and procurement decisions made, including challenges overcome and how staff engagement has driven success. It will also highlight future plans, such as NHS-wide collaboration, vertical farming, and a local sustainability podcast to continue influencing change beyond our Trust. 

Samantha Flanagan – Catering Manager – The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

10:00 – 10:35

Tackling the Risks from Water, Wastewater and Antimicrobial Resistance

Most people are unaware that the world is currently facing the next pandemic, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), also called the silent pandemic. As AMR spreads it is identifying sources of infection and routes of transmission which have largely been unrecognised in the past and this includes pantries, kitchens and even cleaning equipment. This presentation will discuss the various risks and implications for design and operation of such facilities.

Dr. Michael Weinbren – Specialist Advisor Microbiology – New Hospitals Programme – NHS England

10:35 – 10:55

Questions and Answers

10:35 – 10:55

Questions and Answers

11:30 – 12:00

From Food Waste to Value: Powering Hospitals with Circular Solutions

Hospitals generate significant amounts of food waste every day, often seen as a challenge, but also a powerful untapped resource. In this session, we’ll explore how on-site, containerized anaerobic digestion can transform hospital food waste into clean energy and valuable resources. Discover how circular, decentralized solutions can reduce carbon emissions, lower operational costs and strengthen sustainability leadership, right at the heart of your healthcare facility. 

Roberto Bertelli – Sales Director – The Waste Transformers

11:30 – 12:00

Innovation in Hospital Cleaning & Disinfection

Hospitals today face critical challenges: rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pervasive hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and a severe shortage of cleaning staff. This presentation reveals how cutting-edge disinfection can address these pressing issues. We’ll explore how innovative formulations meet the latest European norms and effectively combat the toughest microorganisms, including bacterial spores.
Crucially, discover how these solutions ensure material compatibility, contributing to the extended lifespan of hospital equipment. The core focus, however, remains on minimizing impact on health, enhancing comfort, and ensuring overall well-being for both hospital staff and patients. Learn how these advancements reduce exposure risks and simplify processes, vital for overworked staff. Join us to see how new innovations are transforming hospital hygiene, blending superior efficacy with a deep commitment to creating a healthier environment.

Jędrzej Gromadecki – Marketing Director – Arxada

12:00 – 12:30

The Design for Life Programme – Embedding Circularity in the NHS 

This session explores a collaborative project between the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), examining the role of reusable products in supporting the NHS’s transition to a more circular and sustainable healthcare system. The presentation will consider the challenges, opportunities, and benefits of adopting reuse across clinical settings, offering insights into environmental impact, operational feasibility, and the policy shifts needed to enable lasting change. 

Rachel McLean – SusQI Programme Lead (Competitions and Specialty Challenges) – The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare
Mr Michael Hopkinson – Head of Supply Resilience and Sustainability – Medical Technologies Directorate – Department of Health and Social Care

12:00 – 12:30

Innovation in Hospital Cleaning: Decontaminating Air, A Case Study in Hypochlorous Acid Decontamination

Our presenters will talk through a recent trial conducted in partnership with Medirest and Sherwood Forest IPC team using a new hypochlorous decontamination system.

Infection control in hospitals is very important, and decontamination of facilities is critical to reduce environmental contamination especially where known infections exist. Current systems used widely throughout the NHS provide very good levels of decontamination, however these are limited to use within a contained room and must be used in the absence of people.

Medirest were introduced to Sanital’s dry mist hypochlorous decontamination system and identified that it could work in Emergency and multi-use areas where the current decontamination systems are unable to operate. Medirest were offered the opportunity of trialling the Hypochlorous Acid dry mist decontamination system and approached Sherwood Forest Trust who have fully supported and embraced trialling this new technology. We will share the benefits and outcomes of these trials in this 30 minute workshop session.

Anna Hallas MBE – Healthcare Projects Specialist – Medirest
Kate Stone – Senior Patient Services Manager – Medirest
Sally Palmer – Infection Prevention and Control Nurse – Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

13:40 – 13:45

Chairs Introduction

Liam Hogg – Head of Net Zero Carbon Waste and Resources – NHS England

13:40 – 13:45

Chairs Introduction

Emma Brookes MSc – Head of Soft FM Strategy and Operations – NHS England

13:45 – 14:10

Waste Management in the Healthcare Environment

Healthcare waste management is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of public health and environmental sustainability. It faces a range of challenges that span operational, regulatory, and ethical dimensions.

Dean Harrison – Waste and Sustainability Manager – ISS Facilities C/O University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire

13:45 – 14:10

Healthcare-associated fungal infections: why should we care about mould?

Life-threatening fungal infections are healthcare-associated diseases that primarily affect vulnerable patients, such as those in the ICU, living with cancer or other underlying chronic health problems. Exposure to yeast and moulds in healthcare settings can compromise the safety of patients. This talk will give an overview of the clinical importance of fungal infections, explaining how patients might be exposed to fungi and the best ways of helping prevent spread in healthcare settings.

Dr Rebecca A Drummond – Associate Professor – University of Birmingham

14:10 – 14:35

Round & Round We Go: The Circular Economy and Packaging – Problems & Opportunities

Packaging is essential for the safe transport and use of food, medicines, and healthcare products, but like many sectors, it faces growing pressure to “reduce, reuse, and recycle” to support a sustainable future and achieve net-zero by 2050. Its high visibility—both as litter and through frequent consumer interaction—has made it a focal point for environmental action and legislation, helping drive the shift toward circular economy models. This presentation explores the concept of the circular economy, upcoming packaging legislation, and its implications for packaging design and use within the healthcare sector.

Dr. Alaster Yoxhall – Principal Research Fellow in Human Centred Engineering – Sheffield Hallam University

14:10 – 14:35

The Dirty Truth: Microbiome Build-Up on Bed Linen and Domestic Washing Machines

This presentation explores the hidden infection risks associated with domestically laundering healthcare uniforms and the microbiome of bed linen. Drawing on new research, we examine bacterial survival on textiles, the limited disinfection efficacy of domestic washing machines, and the potential for laundering to promote antibiotic resistance. We also present findings on microbial colonisation of bed linen over time, offering practical recommendations for infection prevention policies. This presentation highlights why routine domestic laundering may not be sufficient for healthcare uniforms and calls for a reassessment of current practices. 

Prof. Katie Laird – Professor of Microbiology / Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group – De Montfort University

14:35 – 14:50

Questions and Answers

14:35 – 14:50

Questions and Answers