Plan to reduce single-use medical devices to tackle NHS waste

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By Caitlin Doherty, PA Media

The way the NHS thinks about “the millions” it spends “has to change”, Wes Streeting has said, as he announced a crackdown on waste in the service.

The health secretary claimed that “millions of expensive medical devices are chucked in the bin” every year as a new strategy aims to cut the number of single-use medical devices.

The Design for Life programme aims to cut waste and maximise the reuse of products. It has been developed with the medical technology industry and will set out plans for measures such as encouraging the production of more sustainable products and teaching NHS staff how to use them.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) pointed to harmonic shears – devices used to seal wounds – which cost more than £500, with around nine in 10 being binned after a single use.

Leeds University Teaching Hospitals Trust has shown they can be remanufactured, which could give up to 50% cost savings.