As Labour aims to make Britain a clean energy superpower while encouraging businesses to decarbonise, the NHS is under more pressure than ever to meet its own ambitious net zero goals.
The NHS wants to become the world’s first net zero national health service by 2040 – and with the healthcare sector responsible for an estimated 4.4% of global CO2 emissions – it will need all the help it can get to succeed.
The move could save the health service upwards of 215,000 litres of chemicals, one million litres of water and more than 200 million watts of energy
Changes will need to be implemented across the board to get there, but implementing UV-C disinfection for surgical equipment is one measure which could help improve both patient outcomes and sustainability goals.
Protecting the planet
By effectively disinfecting reusable equipment, the NHS can minimise the environmental impact associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of single-use items which generate a significant amount of waste and often require incineration or end up in landfill.
Single-use medical equipment contributes to a large volume of medical waste and it has been estimated that the NHS could save more than 1,200 tonnes of carbon if next-generation UV-C disinfection technology was adopted in just one department across each of its 200+ trusts.
UV-C light is a type of ultraviolet light which is highly effective at killing a broad spectrum of pathogens
It is also predicted that the move could save the health service upwards of 215,000 litres of chemicals, one million litres of water and more than 200 million watts of energy based on the findings of a 12-month pilot of a UV-C disinfection chamber used in a hospital in Southern England.
The same NHS trial showed that UV-C disinfection shortened decontamination times to just 60 seconds, as opposed to traditional techniques which can leave equipment out of use for several hours.
This means more patients can be seen each day and damage caused by transportation and harsh chemical treatment are eliminated. With recent figures showing that 6.4 million patients are currently waiting for around 7.6 million treatments, UV-C represents a huge opportunity to reduce waiting lists, improve patient outcomes and help the NHS move faster towards net zero.
What is UV-C light and how can it support infection control?
UV-C light is a type of ultraviolet light which is highly effective at killing a broad spectrum of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is also residue-free, non-contact, doesn’t produce any harmful by-products and doesn’t require special handling.
Labour swept to power on the back of a manifesto which focused on reform and renewal
Traditional decontamination strategies often rely on harsh chemicals, are more prone to human error and there are concerns surrounding bacterial resistance to these disinfection methods.
Improved disinfection protocols contribute to safer environments for both patients and healthcare staff and as UV-C disinfection units also typically consume less energy than heat-based alternatives, they also contribute to lower overall energy use in healthcare settings.
A 2023 survey from the UK Health Security Agency reported that more than four million people acquire a healthcare-associated infection every year in Europe, an estimated 37,000 of whom die as a direct result.
Fit for the future
By embracing UV-C disinfection technology, the NHS can make significant strides toward achieving its net zero targets, enhance sustainability and promote a healthier environment.
Labour swept to power on the back of a manifesto which focused on reform and renewal and pledged to provide two million additional NHS operations, scans and appointments every year; improve patient safety and promote innovation and new technologies.
UV-C disinfection technology can also help reduce the reliance on unnecessary single-use medical equipment
UV-C disinfection technology can also help reduce the reliance on unnecessary single-use medical equipment, which poses a unique threat to the environment, by providing an efficient and effective decontamination process for reusable alternatives.
While adopting UV-C disinfection technology will not solve all the challenges facing the country’s healthcare sector, it has enormous potential to optimise care outcomes, free up staff to focus on patients and help the NHS meet its sustainability goals.
