In October 2020, the NHS became the first health service in the world to commit to reaching carbon net zero. This is no mean feat as currently, the organisation is responsible for around 4% of England's total carbon footprint and a whopping 40% of public sector emissions.
As a result of the NHS’s commitment to net zero, the organisation and those that supply it have started a real push towards greener healthcare and improved sustainability. Part of this push involves building a circular economy: a system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products to reduce landfills as much as possible. Circular economies help to cut waste, lower demand for new materials, and reduce harmful emissions.
Reusing and Repairing Materials
Reusing and repairing materials is at the heart of circular economy principles. So, to achieve a more sustainable health service, the NHS is now encouraging hospitals, clinics, and surgeries to fix, rather than replace, broken or damaged equipment.
This includes equipment like surgical instruments and rigid endoscopes. These items need to be restored to optimal condition to properly extend their lifespan, promote sustainability, and ensure high standards of patient care.
Adaptability
With healthcare sustainability now at the heart of the NHS, more and more hospital equipment is designed with reusability in mind. Increasingly, surgical instruments and equipment are configurable, serviceable, and reusable, helping hospitals cut waste and optimise their resources.
Quality
Equipment made from high-quality materials will inevitably be more durable and more robust. With circular economy and sustainability becoming more important to the healthcare system, it’s imperative that the quality of materials used for NHS equipment is as high as possible. Not only are high-quality surgical instruments and equipment better for patient care, but they’re also far less likely to break or end up in landfills and are easier to repair when required.
Data Collection
When building a circular economy, healthcare providers need to carefully collect data and measure their success to determine if the programme is viable in the long term. This information will help NHS trusts and managers better understand the healthcare system's unique needs and demands.
Net Zero
As we’ve already seen, the NHS has committed to achieving net zero by 2040. This refers to any emissions that the health service controls directly and is an incredibly ambitious target for an organisation of this size. What’s more, the NHS has also said that it wants emissions it has an influence on, to achieve the same goal by 2045.
The circular economy and a greener approach to procurement and management are helping the NHS reduce emissions, cut waste, and achieve its environmental goals. To find out more about high-quality surgical equipment and repairs, check out our product ranges or contact a member of our team today.
Image Source: Canva