Vanguard AG, in collaboration with the National Health Service (NHS) and its provision of refurbished medical products, is mentioned several times in the report. We are pleased to have our expertise acknowledged.
Here are some notable insights from the comprehensive 50-page report:
- Annually, NHS England conducts 7,744 ablation procedures, representing roughly three percent of the English population over 20 years old. This figure is expected to rise by six percent each year.
- The Healthcare Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database boasts over 6,000 users from 80 countries, providing access to research and environmental assessments from more than 480 institutions and 245 data sources spanning two decades.
- In England alone, there are 73,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (gallbladder removals) performed annually using ultrasonic shears.
Leading the charge are institutions such as Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The former has pioneered the use of refurbished medical devices in the UK, achieving significant financial savings of around 50% compared to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) purchases. Furthermore, the Trust has reduced its CO2eq footprint by approximately 50% for each refurbished device.
In 2021, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust alone slashed its CO2 footprint by 525 kg CO2e and saved an estimated £76,610 by utilizing 604 refurbished devices. Similarly, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust saved £57,000 in 2022, following suit with sustainable practices.
We are encouraged by the sustained attention academic research is giving to sustainability efforts, indicating a promising path towards swift implementation.
