Greener AHP Week: Establishing a Walking Aid Reuse Scheme

Presentation: Establishing a walking aid reuse scheme 

Joe Burton (Sustainability Transformation Project lead at University College London Hospitals) will be presenting on the establishment of a walking-aid reuse scheme, including pitfalls and tips for establishing an effective scheme which can drastically reduce waste, save council and NHS money, reduce defective items and help others who need equipment.

With examples of how to set up a walking aid reuse scheme in an acute setting we hope this will be a useful and informative session sharing problems and solutions in other settings as well.

Simon is the Sustainability Manager with NHS London Procurement Partnership. He has over 10 years of experience in both the private and public sector. He has worked on walking aid reuse and recycling across London for the past 2 years and has strong knowledge of the walking aid landscape and challenges. Simon is also a recent graduate of the NHS’s Sustainable Leadership Programme.
 ·       Walking sticks, frames and crutches are in the top 20 of medical device / equipment categories for carbon footprint

·       In a year a Trust will issue well over 1000 pairs of crutches, amounting to several tonnes of aluminium. 

·       Reusing a refurbished walking aid, including parts replacement, results in 87% lower carbon emissions on average than providing a brand-new walking aid and can save £45,000 per Trust if only 2/5 are reused

This Greener AHP week is an opportunity to:

• share projects and ideas for AHPs to get involved
• raise awareness of the links between health and climate change, the NHS net zero ambition, and the shifts required to build a Greener NHS programme, nationally and regionally
• support each other and grow networks
• consider what a greener NHS might look like and what the benefits can be for us all.