The NHS supply chain accounts for approximately 62% of total carbon emissions, and this figure is probably larger for an acute hospital. It is therefore a priority focus area in our plan to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our resilience. The Central Commercial Function issued the Net Zero Supplier Roadmap which, along with the Evergreen Supplier Assessment is mainly aimed at providing better information for Procurement Departments to make more sustainable choices.
Where we are now:
The Head of Procurement works closely with the Associate Director of Infection Prevention and the Head of Sustainability, and therefore a number of innovative replacements for single use items have been introduced. Recycled paper is already standard across the Trust, reusable theatre gowns and hats were implemented in 2020, an alternative to single use anaesthetic masks has been trialled, reusable forced air warming blankets purchased and reusable blood pressure cuffs implemented. A number of other reusable or reduction projects are currently being implemented.
NGH has adopted the requirement to include 10% of social value in all weightings for tenders. However, there is no mechanism in place to measure this or ensure that all the optimum outcome for Northamptonshire is subsequently achieved.
NGH are actively involved in the NHS Midlands Clinical Procurement & Sustainability Group and have delivered seven from the nine clinical projects to date. NGH is also on the advisory DHSC Design for Life Priority Adoption working group which looking at how the NHS nationally moves at pace with products that are within a circular economy. NGH is being positioned and recognised as an innovative trust and now having conversations which influence the strategy on the Pandemic Preparedness through evaluation of products and processes for reusable PPE.
Due to the wide ranging nature of the Procurement activities, there is an overlap with the Sustainable Models of Care section of this plan.
Our aims are to:
Supply Chain and Procurement Action Plan
|
| Action Implement a social value management platform |
Financial Investment Medium |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Procurement / Sustainability |
| Action Implement a Walking Aid reuse scheme |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Therapies / Waste |
| Action Introduce reusable drapes |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Surgery / Procurement |
| Action Complete Scope 3 emissions measurement |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2025 |
Responsible Department Finance |
| Action Ensure suppliers are compliant with the Evergreen Assessment |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Procurement / Sustainability |
| Action Understand carbon footprint of gold suppliers (over £500,000 spend) |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Procurement / Sustainability |
| Action Obtain and monitor supplier carbon reduction plans |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Procurement / Sustainability |
| Action Configure Theatre packs to remove unwanted items |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Surgery / Procurement |
| Action Move Theatre sets to reusable where appropriate |
Financial Investment Medium |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Surgery / Procurement |
| Action Ensure one third of Harmonics purchased are remanufactured |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2025 |
Responsible Department Surgery / Procurement |
| Action Report on triple bottom line savings for all purchasing changes |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Procurement / Sustainability |
Measurement
Social Value report
Carbon emissions from spends
Case studies and carbon impact from single use removal projects
Procurement data