Extended range of washable, reusable and recycled continence products to help NHS trusts meet sustainability targets

• Over 600 new washable and recycled continence products added to national framework
• Responded to customer feedback for more sustainable products
• Working with suppliers to offer more eco-friendly, sustainble and biodegradable disposable products

More than 600 new washable and recycled continence products have been added to a national framework launched by NHS Supply Chain.

The full range of washable and reusable adult and children’s products are available in a choice of colours and styles. The recycled products are available across our range of procedure pads (formally known as underpads).

The clinical and procurement teams within NHS Supply Chain: Rehabilitation, Disabled Services, Women’s Health and Associated Consumables, responded to customer feedback for more sustainable products when developing the framework.

“There has been a real push from our suppliers to go green, and coupled with what our customers are telling us, we are delighted to be able to add so many washable, reusable and recycled products to our framework.

“This is just one example of how NHS Supply Chain is supporting the NHS to be Carbon Net Zero by 2045. We are working with suppliers on some new and exciting ideas, including offering more eco-friendly, sustainable and biodegradable disposable products. Just some of the initiatives include suppliers using recycled ocean plastics, fully recyclable packaging and using innovative technology.”

Lisa Charlesworth, Clinical Engagement and Implementation Manager

There are more than 2,000 products on the Disposable and Washable Continence Care and Associated Products framework, including 1,200 new products from new and incumbent suppliers. Disposable and washable continence products are used throughout the NHS in both acute hospital wards and for patients in their own home or a care home.

There are eight Lots on the new framework:

Lot 1: Adult Disposable Continence with Integral Fixation (includes pull ups, all-in-ones and belted)

Lot 2: Adult Disposable Continence without Integral Fixation Pants (includes shaped including male, rectangular and insert and faecal)

Lot 3: Fixation Pants for use with disposable pads (includes basic and comfort with and without legs)

Lot 4: Paediatric Disposable Continence Products (includes nappies and pull ups)

Lot 5: Disposable Accessory Products (includes procedure pads (formally underpads) and sheets)

Lot 6: Adult Washable Continence Products (includes various adult washable underwear)

Lot 7: Paediatric Washable Continence Products (includes various paediatric washable underwear)

Lot 8: Washable Accessory Products (includes bed and surface production).

The framework runs until August 2023 (with an option to extend for an additional 24 months).

See our Useful Links section for further information on Disposable and Washable Continence Care and Associated Products.

About NHS Supply Chain

NHS Supply Chain manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

Managing more than 8 million orders per year, across 94,000 order points and under 17, 500 locations. NHS Supply Chain delivers over 28 million lines of picked goods to the NHS annually and our systems consolidate orders from over 930 suppliers, saving trusts time and money in removing duplication of overlapping contracts. 

NHS Supply Chain aims to deliver savings of £2.4 billion back into the NHS by 2023/2024, leveraging the buying power of the NHS to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured, quality products at the best value through a range of specialist buying functions. Its aim is to leverage the buying power of the NHS to negotiate the best deals from suppliers and deliver savings back into NHS frontline services.

There are 11 specialist buying functions, known as Category Towers, delivering clinical consumables, capital medical equipment and non-medical products such as food and office solutions. Two enabling services for logistics and supporting technology underpin the model.

Working in partnership with NHS trusts, service providers, and stakeholders, NHS Supply Chain aims to:

• Anchor the business on the needs of the NHS by supporting NHS trusts to deliver safe and excellent patient care and through continuing to build the services the NHS needs.
• Further strengthen the resilience of the supply chain by continuing to invest in key tools and capacity that build resilience and performance, across the end to end supply chain.
• Deliver clinically assured, safe products that support improved outcomes for patients and users.
• Support the NHS objective of becoming the world’s first net carbon zero national health system.
• Ensure a high performing workforce and highly efficient organisation.

Oversight and operational management of the model is delivered by the management function, Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL), a limited company, wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, SCCL is part of the NHS family.