Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has been recognised for its focus on sustainability by being shortlisted as a finalist in the Excellence in Waste Management Awards for the NHS in England for the second year running.
In partnership with the supplier DGT services LTD, the west, mid, south Essex (WMSE) collaborative wheelchair repairs and maintenance service has been shortlisted in the category of Best Reuse.
The service provides wheelchair repairs and maintenance, including reconditioning, which means that more wheelchairs can be reused rather than being disposed of.
Liz Brogan, Director of Contracting, Business Development and Procurement at EPUT said: “Being selected as a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects the outstanding work, innovation and commitment in improving waste management.
“At EPUT we are working hard to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment and the communities we serve. By recycling, maintaining and reconditioning wheelchairs instead of disposing of them this is really making a difference.
Libby Corrie, Contracts and Training Manager for DGT Services, said: “We are proud to be selected as a finalist in these awards. An integral element of DGT’s work involves recycling wheelchairs and associated parts. DGT are passionate about promoting a circular rather than linear economy, unlike wheelchair manufacturers who, understandably, promote new product sales.
“In our first year of working collaboratively in the wheelchair service, we’ve already shown that this reuse initiative cuts both costs and CO2 emissions plus additional benefits including reduction in waste production from discarded medical devices, health (air pollution, toxins produced during manufacture and transportation).”
14-20 September is national recycle week.
About EPUT:
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan/