Medical Devices Role in the NHS’s Green Agenda
Sustainable transformation within the NHS is being driven by fresh, innovative developments of both products and processes. An area we are seeing consistent innovation and development is within then Medical Devices sector. There are many developments in creating more sustainable medical devices both inside and outside of the NHS, from consideration into manufacturing processes and packaging through to management of end-of-life disposal.
The UK’s Medical Devices market has a projected market volume of US$17.25bn in 2022 alone, and many of the newly developed devices are being developed with sustainability at the core. Implementation of these new developments within the NHS could make a huge difference in the race to net zero. So, for our most recent event, we invited businesses with green medical device solutions which could help to further the NHS’s green agenda to talk about how their products and processes can benefit our healthcare system.
Matthew Pinder, Customer Strategy Director, Avensys Medical
Our first speaker was Matthew Pinder, Customer Strategy Director from Avensys Medical. Avensys was set up as a biomedical engineering and repair service business and they maintain hospital equipment throughout the NHS as well as the private sector. Matthew kicked off his presentation by explaining to attendees the history behind the company and how they came to become the sustainability-focused device resale company they are today. He then went on to explain the logistics behind their repair and resale service.
“The service works as a way to put these devices back into the market in a sustainable and ethical way.”
Matthew then went on to explain the difference between Avensys’ service and auction house resale, touching on the issue that all medical devices returning back to the NHS must be patient-safe. Something which is not guaranteed from auction house purchases. He spoke about how their dedicated engineers specialised in repairing the devices and getting them back into patient-safe certified condition.
“As soon as equipment comes into us, it’s tested. If that device isn’t working, we can repair it. We have specialist engineers who can provide expertise to get that device working again. At which point it can be sold back into the healthcare sector in patient-safe conditions.”
Matthew Gopal, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, SageTech Medical
Next up we have Matthew Gopal, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at SageTech Medical. Matthew spoke about how SageTech are pioneering development in sustainable anaesthesia and working closely with safety bodies in their mission to do so. He explained how they realised that the safe solution would be to use the protective gas capture mode of anaesthesia machines to avoid gases leaking into operating theatres.
“At SageTech Medical, we feel that we’re leading the way in creating a sustainable anaesthesia solution!”
Matthew then went on to speak about SageTech’s SID-Can canister solution, which not only captures volatiles as they are leaving the back of the anaesthetic machine into the self sealing container. But it also works as a circular device as they are produced to be highly durable and easy to transport so once they have been emptied, they can be returned to Trusts to be used again.
“They are self-sealing so when the canister is removed from the capture device, they self-seal to prevent any potential leak of gas.”
Dan Gilpin, Consultant Paediactric Anesthetist and Chair of Sustainable Theatres Programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Our final speaker of the webinar was Dan Gilpin, Paediactric Anesthetist and Chair of Sustainable Theatres Programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Dan focussed his talk around reducing the carbon footprint of operating theatres. He began his presentation by talking through the Leeds based Trusts ambitious goals and their journey towards trying to achieve them.
“At Leeds, we had quite a big goal to become the greenest Trust within the UK.”
Dan then went on to talk to attendees about the amazing improvements that have already been made at Leeds, with a big focus on the reduction of desflurane. He then explained how the Trust has worked to reduce the waste produced by surgeries by looking into exactly how much needs to be used within a green surgery. He finished his presentation by talking about what the NHS needs from their supply chain partners in order to really build a greener future.
“The simple intervention over a few years allowed us to save 3000 tonnes equivalent of CO2 per year within our Trust.”
This webinar discussed new products and solutions being developed to make the use of medical devices in the NHS more sustainable. A collaborative approach is needed to truly strive for a greener future within the NHS. If you would like more information or are interested in speaking on one of our future webinars, please do not hesitate to get in contact.