An estimated 80% of NHS Wales’ carbon footprint is directly linked to the goods and services they purchase. As part of a drive to shift the NHS towards more sustainable consumption, and cut carbon and waste, it is essential that items such as wheelchairs are maintained and used to their full potential.
A circular economy is an alternative to the traditional make-use-dispose linear economy which damages our environment. Instead, the aim is to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value while in use, and recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of each service life.
Service models where items are repaired, maintained, and refurbished ensure that products achieve their maximum utility and are kept in use longer. This helps reduce the environmental carbon footprint of the goods we use. This case study outlines the success of the NHS Posture and Mobility Service (PAMS) for Wales as an exemplary model of circularity in the healthcare sector.
The PAMS approach aligns with the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan, the goal for a net zero public sector in Wales by 2030, and the Welsh Government’s Beyond Recycling Strategy, all of which emphasize the role public sector procurement will play in delivering a low-carbon circular economy in Wales.
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DownloadALAS - Towards a Circular Economy in NHS Wales – Mobility Equipment Repair and Reconditioning.pdf
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