§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways environmentally sustainable procurement strategies within the Department have driven innovation in the design and supply of products. [159104]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Department and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) work with suppliers to encourage research and innovation, and to take account of environmental sustainability when setting procurement strategies for the National Health Service. Initiatives so far include: encouraging suppliers of copiers and printers to continually improve their environmental performance; implementing a prostheses and prosthetic component re-use scheme; encouraging the development of new clinical waste sacks; and promoting eco-labelling to the NHS. The Department also uses "green" electricity for its buildings.
The Department and the NHS PASA fully support and contribute to the interdepartmental sustainable procurement group's activity.