**London**: In Spring 2024, the Labour Party will unveil a 10-year strategy for the NHS, emphasising illness prevention, digital technology, and sustainability to reshape future healthcare and mitigate environmental impact, including significant waste reduction and carbon emission targets.
In the spring of 2024, the Labour Party is set to present a comprehensive 10-year strategy for the National Health Service (NHS) aimed at reshaping the organisation’s future, emphasizing illness prevention, localised care, and digital advancements. This ambitious plan is anticipated to significantly influence both the service’s trajectory and the political party that established it.
Wes Streeting, who is spearheading reforms within the NHS, is focused on reducing waiting times and integrating digital technology, while also contemplating partnerships with the private sector to enhance service innovation. Integral to this vision is the NHS’s objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, coupled with an ambitious target of an 80 per cent reduction in emissions under its direct control by the years 2028 to 2032.
As the Government and health ministers navigate these impending challenges, the role of sustainable information technology appears increasingly vital. The NHS is currently grappling with a significant waste burden, generating approximately 156,000 tons of clinical waste each year, a figure that can be likened to the combined weight of over 400 jumbo jets.
Noteworthy initiatives have already been set in motion, with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust reporting financial savings of £100,000 through the procurement of remanufactured catheters and the resale of used medical devices. These efforts are in line with the Government’s NHS waste reduction strategy, which highlights the potential for substantial savings across the nation, especially in terms of catheters utilised for heart tests. Furthermore, encouraging the return of walking aids has resonated with significant carbon reduction potential; if just 40 per cent of such aids were returned, hospitals could save nearly £50,000 annually while achieving a 98 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to producing new aids.
However, the NHS’s environmental footprint extends beyond medical devices, as it is responsible for 4 per cent of England’s total carbon emissions. Thus, more comprehensive measures are required for the attainment of its net-zero goal.
Traditionally, the NHS has favoured new procurement, a practice that has left its IT infrastructure relatively unexplored in terms of sustainability. Reports indicate that from 2013 to 2017, health trusts in the NHS expended a staggering £260 million on new PCs alone, averaging £650.54 per unit. This trend of high expenditure continued, with a reported £3.24 billion spent on ICT-related services in the financial year 2020 to 2021—an increase of 33 per cent from the previous year.
Despite the substantial financial outlays, each new laptop typically emits around 331 kg of carbon during its production, creating challenges for the NHS as it strives to adhere to its sustainability commitments. A potential resolution lies in the adoption of a refurbishment and reuse strategy for IT procurement, similar to those championed for medical equipment. By leveraging remanufactured laptops—which are substantially cheaper by approximately 40 per cent and certified to perform to or beyond the standards of new models—the NHS could dramatically cut costs without compromising service quality.
Evidence of the effectiveness of such initiatives is establishing a precedent. The UK ambulance service, for instance, has reported that one-third of its fleet is currently equipped with remanufactured devices. The King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust has similarly transitioned to using refurbished technology, resulting in a reduction of 126.4 tons of carbon emissions and the conservation of 76 million litres of water over an 18-month period.
As the Government continues to ensure that the NHS meets its sustainability aspirations while delivering cost-effective solutions, the attention towards sustainable IT practices stands as a strategic advantage for Wes Streeting in his vision for the future of the health service, with considerable implications for both fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Subscribe to Industry Updates
