§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the most effective method for the disposal of clinical waste; and what advice he gives to NHS trusts. [143321]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 20 December 2000]: Waste disposal in England is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Environment Agency (EA) who license and regulate larger waste disposal facilities, with small waste disposal facilities licensed and regulated by the local authority.
No one method is equally efficient, effective and economic for the disposal of all clinical wastes in all circumstances. Waste producers must find the solution that best meets their requirements in the most satisfactory way.
We have issued advice to the National Health Service on appropriate methods of disposing of clinical waste—Health Technical Memorandum 2075 "Clinical waste disposal/treatment technologies (alternatives to incineration)". Further and broader guidance is given in the Health and Safety Commission's "Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste". Copies are available in the Library.
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§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has he made of the cost and safety impact of transporting clinical waste and of the average distances such waste is carried. [143323]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 20 December 2000]: National Health Service bodies in England, in making their waste management contracts, follow the principle of seeking the best value and the best service for their particular requirements. Distance is one factor in the decision, but cannot be taken in isolation.
Producers of clinical waste which is carried on the public highway must meet the statutory requirements for safe packaging.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total annual cost to the NHS is for disposal of clinical waste. [143322]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 20 December 2000]: The total annual cost to the National Health Service for disposal of clinical waste in England was £29.2 million for 1999–2000.
To reduce the cost and environmental impact of incinerating clinical waste, we issued Health Technical Memorandum 2065 "Healthcare in waste management—segregation of waste streams in clinical areas". This document advocates a change of strategy from waste disposal to waste management in order to achieve the containment of waste disposal costs, the minimisation of healthcare opportunity costs, risk management and a reduction of environmental impact.