Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. UNDP and Health Care Without Harm launch the One Planet Sustainable Public Procurement Programme

On 20 February 2019 in Paris, UNDP and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) launched the health sector task team of the One Planet Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) programme. SPP is one of the six programmes of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production implemented by the One Planet Network, a global initiative, adopted at the Rio+20 summit key for implementing and reporting on the Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production).

Read more here

2. Tender for the Provision of Needle Exchange Equipment, Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste, Oversight, Training and Payment of Pharmacies for Service Delivery 2019: North Somerset Council
North Somerset Council invites tenders for Needle exchange services delivered by community pharmacies.
Needle exchanges are important in preventing the spread of Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) (NICE PH52); a 2004 World Health Organisation (WHO) study states that “needle exchange services substantially and cost effectively reduce the spread of BBV’s without increasing injecting use”. They are particularly important in relation to Hepatitis C (HCV); injecting drug users are the largest group most at risk of contracting HCV, with approximately 80% of new HCV infections in the UK being attributed to this group. The WHO has a target to eradicate HCV by 2030; a target NHS England aim to exceed by at least 5 years.
Needle Exchanges also provide a mechanism for the safe disposal of injecting paraphernalia which helps prevent accidental needle stick injuries and reduces litter. Furthermore, they provide an important way of moving individuals towards less risky methods of drug use and provide referral routes into treatment and other services.
For pharmacy needle exchanges to function efficiently, a regular supply of suitable high-quality injecting equipment and clinical waste collection and disposal service is required. It is also essential that pharmacy staff operating the needle exchange service are suitable trained in the type of equipment available to enable them to advise service users on the products most suited to their needs and to importantly offer harm minimisation advice. Further information and tender documents can be found here: https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?resetFilter=True&applyFilter=True&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21&v=1

Value of contract: £231k

Published date: 11 March 2019

Closing date: 03 April 2019

Contract start date: 01 July 2019

Contract end date: 30 June 2024

Contact name: Michelle Dickson

Address

Town Hall
Walliscote Grove Road
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1UJ
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 1275888250

Email: michelle.dickson@n-somerset.gov.uk

3. Northern network master class on plastics, by the Sustainable Development Unit, on 28 March, 2019

The master class will cover what the NHS can do, including what to do about single use clinical waste.

For more information click here

4. New journal article examining the impact on life cycle carbon footprint of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital

Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but found transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes and recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC.

Read the article here

5. Five vie to deliver waste tracking system