The National Health Service is a national treasure, providing vital healthcare services to millions across the UK. Its skilled and compassionate workforce is its backbone, working effortlessly to ensure that patients receive the best healthcare services in their time of need.
The healthcare industry generates tons of waste daily, and managing it effectively is challenging. In its commitment to excellence, the NHS recognizes the need to address this issue of clinical waste management, which is why it has developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle this challenge head-on.
The clinical waste produced by the NHS in England each year is approximately 156,000 tonnes, equivalent to over 400 fully loaded jumbo jets. But the NHS is taking flight towards a more sustainable future through innovative waste management strategies, reducing waste and environmental impact. It’s time to land this waste problem and fly towards a more eco-friendly future.
From using cutting-edge recycling technologies to deploying eco-friendly waste disposal methods, the NHS has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most creative and innovative clinical waste management solutions implemented by the NHS and explore how they transform how we think about waste management in the healthcare industry.
“By implementing this strategy over the next ten years, we estimate that the NHS can save approximately £11 million yearly in recurrent revenue costs, and we can reduce our carbon emissions from waste by about 30% – equivalent to removing 2 million road miles a year.
I encourage all NHS providers to embrace and adopt this strategy and embed the steps from the action plan as part of their daily waste management practices”
Simon Corben, Director of Estates and Head of Profession, NHS England
OVERVIEW: NHS CLINICAL WASTE STRATEGY
The NHS Clinical Waste Strategy is a 10-year rolling strategy to improve waste management practices among NHS trusts, foundation trusts, and primary care providers in England. The process is designed to make waste management more efficient and sustainable while reducing the environmental impact of clinical and offensive waste.
The strategy focuses on six key priority areas: data, workforce, compliance, commercial, infrastructure, and sustainability. Under each of these areas, the strategy sets out a strategic priority, a measure of success, and a selection of key activities and performance indicators.
DATA
The first area, data, aims to utilize comprehensive, consistent data across all NHS organizations to drive decision-making and proactive risk management. The measure of success for this area is that all clinical waste generated by NHS providers is regularly reported with a minimum of 95% accuracy by 2024.
WORKFORCE
The second area, workforce, seeks to invest in developing a skilled and diverse waste management workforce with appropriate support and defined career paths. The measure of success for this area is that 100% of NHS and foundation trusts have a dedicated waste manager role (at least 0.5 FTE) by 2023, funded from their resources, and 100% of other NHS providers have identified accountable individuals for waste management.
COMPLIANCE
The third area, compliance, aims to ensure that all NHS staff understand and adhere to compliance requirements. The measure of success for this area is that NHS providers achieve clinical waste segregation targets of 20:20:60 HTI (High-temperature incineration), AT (alternative treatment), and OW (offensive waste) by 2026.
COMMERCIAL
The fourth area, commercial, seeks to establish a commercial model that delivers better value, supports the standardization of contracting arrangements, and encourages health market conditions. The measure of success for this area is that the average net cost of clinical waste management will be reduced by 15% per tonne of waste by 2030 (after inflation and/or above-increased treatment costs).
INFRASTRUCTURE
The fifth area, infrastructure, aims to invest in clinical waste infrastructure to increase capacity and regional resilience and support sustainable waste processing practices. The measure of success for this area is that all NHS providers introduce arrangements for managing the offensive waste stream by 2023.
SUSTAINABILITY
The sixth area, sustainability, seeks to proactively work to reduce harmful emissions, improve local air quality, and achieve the 2045 net zero carbon target. The measure of success for this area is achieving a 50% reduction in the carbon emissions produced from waste management by 2026 and an 80% reduction by 2028-32.
(Caption to be put) NHS Clinical Waste Strategy: Measures of Success by Target Date
KEY OBJECTIVES FOR ACHIEVING DESIRED OUTCOMES
The primary goal of this strategy is to transform waste into a valuable resource, which will aid us in achieving our net zero objectives while enhancing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall functionality. The NHS can effectively reduce its detrimental environmental impact by improving clinical waste management techniques and minimizing overall waste volumes while demonstrating responsible financial and social practices.
WASTE HIERARCHY
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra’s) waste hierarchy ranks waste management options by their environmental impact, with 7 levels from most to least desirable. Adhering to this hierarchy is essential for the NHS to achieve its objectives and uphold responsible waste management practices.
CONCLUSION
The NHS Clinical Waste Strategy aims to improve waste management practices amongst NHS providers to make them more efficient and sustainable while also saving costs and reducing environmental impact. By focusing on six key areas, the strategy provides specific strategic priorities and measures of success for each area. As healthcare systems worldwide face similar challenges, the success of the NHS in this area offers valuable lessons and inspiration for others to follow. The healthcare industry can create a more sustainable and healthier future by prioritizing sustainability, safety, and innovation.
REFERENCES
- England, N. (n.d.-c). NHS England » NHS clinical waste strategy.
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-clinical-waste-strategy/
- NHS England launches new Clinical Waste Strategy. (n.d.). https://www.buildingbetterhealthcare.com/news/article_page/NHS_England_launches_new_Clinical_Waste_Strategy/207500
- Clinical waste strategy targets cuts in costs and emissions. (n.d.). https://www.hfma.org.uk/news/news-list/Article/clinical-waste-strategy-targets-cuts-in-costs-and-emissions