New UK Waste Legislation and NHS Policies

Graham Perry

International Advisor – NHS Estates – UK

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Present Role(s)

Retained Advisor – Special Projects – NHS Estates (UK); International Advisor – Department of Health (UK); Senior Consultant – Clifford Price Associates – Specialist in Estates & Facilities Performance and Strategy Development

Previous Posts

Special Projects Manager – NHS Estates (UK) 1997 – 2000

Facilities Director – Guy’s & St. Thomas’s NHS Trust, London 1992 –1997

Estates and/or Facilities Director in a range of NHS Trusts in York, West Midlands and

Manchester

Specialist Areas:

General Management; Overall Healthcare Management; Construction Management – Contracting; Labour Management – Performance; Specialist Healthcare Engineering; Waste Management (Health Sector); Property Development, Acquisition, Disposal & Redevelopment; Private Finance Initiative – Scheme Development – Management; International Delegations, Specialist Visits & presentations; Trouble Shooting – Specialist Enquiries

ABSTRACT

This paper considers the evolution of handling waste in the NHS – UK.

The level, type and mix of waste, including sensitive waste, have been increasing at an alarming rate.

The volume, overall costs, effects on the environment and threats to public health have led Central Government, through the Environment Agency, to develop new legislation and guidance, backed up by inspectors and at worse prosecutions.

New technologies to deal with waste have been developed and offer exciting new opportunities.

Planning approval for new incinerators is becoming increasingly difficult, to the point of “impossible”.

The evolution has moved the service from a “bag and burn” or “dump and tip” waste disposal approach to one of full time “Waste Management” incorporating waste reduction and recycling.

This paper brings together all of these aspects and leads on to the new national legislation and guidance and, importantly, the proposed policy document and guiding principles incorporated in the now developed proposals from NHS Estates for the NHS – UK