Graham Flynn, Managing Director of Anenta* comments on the current clinical waste crisis facing the NHS.
Recent national media coverage highlighting issues surrounding the disposal of NHS clinical waste has painted a very unpleasant picture of a system in chaos.
It is unfortunate that despite information being made available about what this waste comprised, in many cases the public has been presented with an image of body parts awaiting incineration, being stockpiled. In fact, this specific type of clinical waste constitutes less than 1% of the total volume.
Clinical waste is an often overlooked but inevitable result of treating millions of people every year. Some form of waste is generated during each clinical interaction with a patient and the number of interactions is rising every year. The volume of waste generated is therefore also increasing.
Clinical waste cannot simply be disposed of or recycled like most domestic or commercial waste, in every case it requires specialist treatment, one such method being high-temperature incineration.
Recent events have brought to the fore, the question of whether the UK’s high-temperature incineration capacity is sufficient to handle the volume of waste produced not just today, but in the coming years, as waste volumes continue to rise.
This debate about capacity looks set to continue. Amid calls for greater infrastructure, the Environment Agency has stated that there is sufficient incineration capacity in the UK. In industry, the field is divided, some adamant that incineration capacity is in fact decreasing. To some degree, the conclusion drawn depends on the way in which one considers the issue and whether the focus is upon the operators’ permitted capacity versus their operational capacity or indeed commercial interests.
It is also appropriate to consider at this juncture, why permit changes have been granted to HES competitors, despite similar requests from HES being denied.
Whatever conclusion is drawn, the current situation is clearly not an advantageous one for the customer, in this and most cases, the NHS. Indeed, it has become apparent that a number of clinical waste contractors have sought to profit from the current situation by increasing their standard tonnage rates, the reduced level of competition leaving the NHS with fewer options and little choice but to pay what is at best, an unfair price.
Such practices are shortsighted and ultimately can only impact upon the industry negatively, lowering its reputation further still. Now more than ever, it is fair and transparent pricing that is required for an appropriate level of servicing.
Many people already familiar with NHS waste disposal may not be surprised by the difficulties the sector now faces and the current disposal challenges are clearly a matter of concern for all parties involved. The issue highlights two key points however: the need for a more robust risk assessment and management process in the NHS and whether investment is now required as a matter of urgency to boost capacity.
Change within NHS is required too, to achieve best value. Arguably one of the most effective means by which the NHS could improve upon the issues highlighted is to overhaul the way in which clinical waste contracts are procured.
The need for changes in the procurement process has been highlighted very clearly in fact by recent litigation between the NHS and leading clinical waste contractors. Such change will be welcomed by the industry’s trade associations with many of the key stakeholders waiting for exactly this in order to demonstrate real innovation and drive new efficiencies in waste management which the existing process effectively curtails. As a matter of urgency then, the NHS needs to move away from the race-to-the-bottom evidenced through e-auctions and assess the quality of service it will receive in a more robust manner.
Such a change in the procurement process, delivered in tandem with more effective, proactive contract management, will see a significant improvement in service levels as well as compliance. It will also enable the NHS to improve its risk assessment process, identifying issues such as those now being reported, much further in advance.
Ageing infrastructure, the impact of zero waste to landfill policies and limited high-temperature incineration capacity have been cited as the underlying cause for recent events. While this debate will continue, it is clear there is very little slack in the system as capacities are held for commercial reasons and planned or unplanned shutdowns.
When one considers the bigger picture however beyond this debate, it is clear that with the appropriate open discussion and investment, the UK’s clinical waste disposal capacity could be increased significantly. Critically, this increased disposal capacity would mean new operators in the market place, greater competition and greater transparency allowing the NHS to secure a fair price for an appropriate level of service.
This can only benefit the NHS and ultimately secure better value for the public purse.
* Anenta is an independent environmental services contract management partner which provides bespoke, affordable and professional services that include recycling, general waste, sani-waste, confidential and clinical waste streams.
