Modest, small actions can result in significant financial savings for NHS trusts, new RCP report finds

By looking at how hospitals deal with waste, a new report Less waste more health: A health professional's guide to reducing waste, identifies how trusts can make sizable savings in a time of intense pressure on the NHS.

Featuring a range of case studies and recommendations, the report sets out how trusts and those working in our NHS can positively influence the health of their patients, aid in financial savings, as well shaping the impact the NHS has on the environment.

Examples noted in the report include one trust which managed to make a monthly saving of £608,500 by way of a health equipment amnesty. In one month local residents handed back 8,500 items of equipment that was no longer required. The report states that if all CCGs achieved similar results – it is estimated that £128 million worth of equipment could be recouped.

Another trust which introduced paper based ‘bio bins’, for the disposal of medical waste, managed to make annual savings of £13,500, whilst also decreasing the amount of CO2 emissions the process produced by 66 tonnes a year. The equivalent of driving an average sized car 161,756 miles.

With the aim of shifting the culture around what individuals can do in their own hospitals the report sets out 12 recommendations, these include:

• All trusts should develop and promote facilities that allow the public to return medical equipment that is no longer required
• Healthcare staff and procurement teams need to work together to minimise over-purchasing and unnecessary expiration of unused equipment, prioritising waste prevention
• Environmentally friendly product alternatives that don’t compromise patient care or staff safety should be favoured.

On the release of the report RCP president Professor Jane Dacre said,

In England there are 165 hospital trusts with a combined expenditure of over £4.6 billion a year on medical supplies and other consumables. We know that every 36 hours one million patient contacts take place.

If we can empower NHS staff to become advocates of change, even simple changes will add up to significant saving for trusts but will also have a wider societal benefit for the patients we treat.

Such purchasing power and patient contact, demonstrates our ability to guide change should not be underestimated.

The report’s author and RCP clinical fellow for sustainability, Dr Jenny Isherwood, said:

Health professionals should work with their teams to start identifying the simple changes they can make in their hospitals, that will deliver better outcomes for the patients we treat and the wider environment. The case studies which feature across this report, demonstrate that change is possible and that it delivers tangible results.

Case study: Health equipment amnesty 

NHS West Suffolk launched a campaign encouraging local inhabitants to hand back NHS equipment no longer required. In one month over 8,500 items were returned, including crutches (£12.70 per pair), commodes, adjustable wheeled frames and air mattresses (£1,650 per mattress).

Crutches, walking sticks and frames are listed in the Sustainable Development Unit’s top 20 priority items. These items are thought to account for more than 70% of the footprint of procured items, in terms of expenditures and carbon footprint.

• Savings per month £608,500
• If all CCGs achieved similar results £128 million worth of equipment could be recouped.

Case study bio box: Medicinal waste disposal

Newcastle Upon Tyne (NUTH) introduction paper-based Bio-bins® for the disposal of medicinal waste, instead of plastic purple topped rigid yellow containers.

The traditional rigid plastic containers are heavy, and it is estimated that the disposal of the containers alone accounts for 30–40% of the trust’s incineration bill. The Bio-bins® offered a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative allowing for more to be delivered at any one time.

The Bio-bins® were placed in high usage areas to test performance before it was rolled out across the trust. Roll out was accompanied by full on-site training, supporting material, instructional videos and technical support from the supplier.

The Bio-bin is 96% paper. This is a more sustainable material that produces less harmful gases when incinerated at disposal. It is also 50% lighter than the equivalent plastic container, reducing transport emissions and waste incineration emissions. NUTH’s trails demonstrated financial savings through reduced price per unit and a significant saving from a reduction in waste being incinerated.

• Per annum savings £13,500 66 tonnes CO2e
• Equivalents to driving 161,756 miles

For more information please contact RCP Communications Manager, Morgan Evans, 0203 075 1468.