The UK Government is launching a new strategy aimed at reducing the use of single-use medical devices in the NHS, helping to tackle waste and save millions of pounds each year. The Design for Life Roadmap, announced by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, is set to overhaul current practices and encourage the use of reusable, remanufactured medical technology (MedTech), while reducing the country’s reliance on imported products.
Currently, the NHS produces 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste annually in England, a significant portion of which comes from disposable devices such as walking aids, surgical instruments, and specialised equipment like harmonic shears. These devices are often discarded after just one use, despite some costing hundreds of pounds. The new strategy aims to change this by promoting reuse, remanufacture, and recycling of medical devices to cut costs and reduce environmental impact.
Streeting stated, “The NHS is broken. This government is focused on fixing it by ensuring that not a penny is wasted. The billions spent by the NHS need to be carefully managed, and reducing the number of single-use medical devices is a key part of this. We will work closely with the MedTech industry to support innovation and bring sustainable solutions to the frontline.”
Under the new plan, MedTech companies will be incentivised to produce reusable products, helping to keep costs down and driving investment back into the NHS. The roadmap also highlights the economic benefits of the shift to sustainable products, which is expected to create thousands of jobs and contribute to making the UK a global leader in life sciences.
Examples of potential savings are already emerging. At Mid Yorkshire Trust, a move to reusable tourniquets has resulted in £20,000 saved on procurement costs and a reduction of 0.75 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually. Similarly, Northampton Hospitals NHS Trust saved £12,000 by replacing 1,000 pairs of single-use surgical scissors with reusable ones. Meanwhile, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust cut costs by 50% by remanufacturing harmonic shears and saved £76,610 on remanufactured catheters alone.
These case studies illustrate the potential for significant savings across the NHS. Procurement data shows millions of single-use scissors, tourniquets, and other devices being discarded each year, representing a missed opportunity for cost-effective alternatives. By rolling out the Design for Life programme nationally, the NHS could save millions of pounds annually, while cutting plastic waste and contributing to the government’s net zero goals.
The strategy also addresses the issue of scarce materials like platinum and titanium being discarded in landfill. A reduction in single-use devices will not only save resources but also contribute to lowering the UK’s carbon footprint.
Baroness Gillian Merron, Health Minister, visited University College London Hospital this week, which is part of the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance. She praised the efforts of hospitals that are leading the way in adopting reusable products, saying, “This programme will help build an NHS fit for the future while supporting the government’s ambition to turn the UK into a life sciences superpower.”
The new roadmap sets out 30 actions for achieving these goals, including incentivising reusable MedTech through procurement reforms and training NHS staff to adopt sustainable practices.
