HC Deb 09 February 1999 vol 325 cc177-8W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the (i) longest, (ii) average and (iii) shortest distance over which the higher risk clinical waste for incineration is transported from the(a) Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Law Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Monklands Hospital NHS Trust. [69208]

Mr. Galbraith

The incineration of such waste for these Lanarkshire NHS Trusts is currently carried out at a plant on the Crosshouse Hospital site. This is 35 miles from Monklands Hospital, 30 miles from law Hospital and 20 miles from the Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future disposal of healthcare waste from the(a) Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Law Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Monklands Hospital NHS Trust; what sites will be used for (i) the incineration and (ii) the landfill disposal of medical waste; and if he will make a statement. [69210]

Mr. Galbraith

Following a recent tendering exercise which was carried out in consultation with public health doctors, specialist engineers and environmentalists, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, a contract was awarded to Eurocare Environmental Services Limited which will, from 1 April 1999, service the clinical waste disposal needs of two-thirds of Scotland's NHS Trusts. All of the Lanarkshire Trusts have given a commitment to be part of the contract which across Scotland is expected to realise savings of around £6m for re-investment in patient care. Under the arrangements the bulk of the clinical waste from Lanarkshire will be treated at a disinfector/heat treatment plant in Cumbernauld. When processed, the safe, inert residue will be disposed of at a licensed landfill site near Cumbernauld. There are also low volume, higher risk clinical waste materials which will be disposed of by incineration at plants in the Midlands of England.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the regulations pertaining to the current practice for the disposal of healthcare waste by the(a) Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Law Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Monklands Hospital NHS Trust. [69207]

Mr. Galbraith

The following legislation applies:

  • Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990
  • The Radioactive Substances Act 1993
  • Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure Vehicles) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No 1624)
    • 178
  • Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No 2839)
  • Management of Health & Safety At Work Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No 2051)
  • Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 1056)
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 3246)
  • Special Waste Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 972)
  • Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2095)
  • Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (Drivers Training) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2094).