§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility is retained by NHS trusts for clinical waste handled by a contractor. [99557]
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§ Mr. HuttonSection 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places "duty of care" requirements on importers, producers, carriers, keepers, treaters or disposers of "controlled waste". As waste producers, National Health Service trusts have responsibility to take all such measures as are reasonable in the circumstances to prevent unlawful depositing, handling or disposal of waste; the escape of waste from their control; to ensure the waste is only transferred to authorised persons and that appropriate records are maintained.
Where a NHS trust employs a waste disposal contractor to dispose of its waste it must satisfy itself by a process of monitoring and auditing that the clinical waste collection and disposal process is adequate and complies with appropriate legislation.
§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the procedure for disposing of waste human tissue from the NHS. [99556]
§ Mr. HuttonIdentifiable human tissue is classified as clinical waste and needs to be dealt with by an authorised waste handling facility. The only appropriate treatment for identifiable human tissue is incineration.
The National Health Service will follow recognised procedures for appropriate segregation and disposal of waste human tissue, as laid down in advice and guidance documentation. NHS Estates has published Safe disposal of clinical waste—whole hospital policy guidance and the Health and Safety Commission has published Safe disposal of clinical waste.
§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the current contracts entered into by the NHS for the disposal of waste human tissue; and if he will place the terms of the contracts in the Library. [99555]
§ Mr. HuttonThis information is not collected centrally. The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) has no national contract in place and so NHS trusts negotiate their own contracts in this area.
Because of this, we are not able to place the terms of these contracts in the Library.
However, in the last 24 months waste management has been highlighted by PASA as an area with significant national spend and supply chain dynamics, suggesting that a national purchasing strategy should be developed. To this end, PASA has produced a procurement guide for total waste management and is working on a common set of terms and conditions for all trusts to use.
§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the judgement in the case of Rv. Eurocare Environmental Services Ltd, at Chester Crown Court on 14 February. [99776]
§ Mr. HuttonAny breach of the law with regard to clinical waste is a serious matter. We will consider the judgment carefully and identify any further action we should take.