At ‘The Future of MedTech – Innovating for Tomorrow’ conference, Josh Crosley, Co-Lead of the Design for Life programme at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), delivered the third part of a compelling talk titled ‘Building a Sustainable Future through Responsible Procurement’.

The session recapped the Design for Life programme and the opportunities this presents for the medtech sector.

Held on 13 May 2025 at The Mercure in Northampton and jointly hosted by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) and AXREM, the first two parts of the conference talk were delivered by Chris Taylor from Philips Health Systems and Alexandra Hammond from NHS England.

What is Design for Life?

Design for Life is a flagship DHSC programme aiming to create a circular economy for medical products. Rather than the traditional linear model – take, make, dispose – the initiative focuses on reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling medtech devices to keep them in circulation for as long as possible. Importantly, its scope includes a wide range of medtech products used in patient care, from PPE to surgical equipment.

Born out of the supply chain shocks caused by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, the programme’s core goal is to increase resilience within the NHS. By reducing dependence on single-use products and extending the lifecycle of products, Design for Life helps ensure continuity of care, even under strain.

Aligned objectives: sustainability, cost, and growth

Josh highlighted how the programme’s goals are interlinked. Reusable and remanufactured products not only deliver carbon savings of up to 56 percent but also provide significant cost reductions. Many NHS pilots have already demonstrated both financial and quality benefits. For industry, this shift opens up new opportunities in services like remanufacturing, sterile processing, and materials recovery – areas with real potential for economic growth.

The government’s wider commitment to a circular economy underpins the programme, aligning with DEFRA’s national strategy.

Case study: Reusable patient warming devices at Northampton General Hospital

One standout example from recent Design for Life pilots was at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, which trialled a reusable patient warming device, typically used before and after surgery to prevent hypothermia. Previously, the trust disposed of around 4,000 single-use warming blankets annually at a cost of £28,000.

By switching to a reusable alternative, the trust saved £10,000 each year and reduced emissions by nearly two tonnes of CO₂. Beyond cost and carbon, the reusable product delivered quieter operating theatres and improved patient safety, thanks to a design that eliminated the need for glue to attach the blanket to the patient.

However, adoption was not without its challenges. Shifting to reusable systems required changes in decontamination protocols, staff training, and logistics – highlighting the importance of investment in infrastructure and behaviour change.

Tackling barriers to adoption

Josh outlined the programme’s roadmap for overcoming such barriers. These include:

• Leadership and alignment: Establishing national KPIs and embedding circular goals into NHS quality frameworks to ensure consistency and clear direction.
• Behavioural change: Launching adoption working groups and developing practical materials like playbooks and guidance to support trusts.
• Commercial incentives: The NHS is moving towards a value-based procurement model that considers long-term value, not just upfront costs. Draft frameworks are being shadow tested, with live pilots planned for later this year.
• Infrastructure: A nationwide survey is underway to assess NHS decontamination capacity, with the aim of expanding support for reusable systems. In parallel, digital tracking solutions are being explored through partnerships like the DECHI programme.

What this means for industry

For BHTA members, the Design for Life programme presents a clear signal: the NHS is serious about sustainable procurement, and the system is evolving to support circular solutions. From value-based procurement to new service opportunities, the shift opens commercial pathways for companies ready to innovate.

Josh closed by urging medtech suppliers to engage early, collaborate with NHS partners, and align their products and services with circular principles.

Insights from ‘Building a Sustainable Future through Responsible Procurement’ by Chris Taylor, Sustainability Lead UKI at Philips Health Systems

At ‘The Future of MedTech – Innovating for Tomorrow’, a joint conference hosted by the BHTA and AXREM on 13 May 2025 at The Mercure, Northampton, Chris Taylor, Sustainability Lead UKI at Philips Health Systems, delivered the first part of a compelling talk titled ‘Building a Sustainable Future through Responsible Procurement’.

His message to suppliers in the healthcare and medtech sector was clear: the journey to NHS net zero cannot be travelled alone, and suppliers play a critical role.

Chris began by setting the scene. As a planet, we are consuming resources at an unsustainable rate: 1.7 earths’ worth annually and climbing. Healthcare contributes significantly to environmental pressures through emissions, waste, and material use. The NHS, for instance, emits 125kg of CO₂ per hospital bed per day. Chris highlighted the growing evidence linking climate change with human health outcomes, calling on suppliers to act in unison to help tackle this challenge.

With 71 percent of the NHS’ emissions falling under scope 3 – those generated across its supply chain – Chris emphasised that suppliers are central to achieving the NHS’ net zero ambitions.

To support this, Philips partnered with the University of Exeter to produce a report, which highlights how suppliers can reduce material consumption and embed sustainable practices. The report breaks down actions into three areas: understanding the challenge, setting clear targets, and making tangible changes.

Key takeaways for suppliers:

1. Provide transparent reporting:
   Suppliers should prioritise accurate reporting of their environmental impact, particularly scope 3 emissions. Programmes like the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment, though still evolving, provide a platform for this. Early engagement is vital.
2. Embrace the circular economy:
   Chris urged a move away from the outdated linear model of “take, make, dispose”. Instead, suppliers should design out waste, extend the life of equipment, and consider remanufacturing. Recycling, he noted, should be a last resort.
3. Redesign business models:
   Traditional capital purchase models often limit innovation. Alternatives, such as “as-a-service” models for diagnostic equipment, are already being piloted within the NHS. These approaches offer both environmental benefits and budget flexibility for NHS trusts.
4. Improve energy and material efficiency:
   Reducing the energy consumption of devices, using lighter and fewer materials, and eliminating harmful substances are all part of the sustainability toolkit. Chris also highlighted the geopolitical risks around material scarcity, citing helium as a real-world example.
5. Collaborate for impact:
   Drawing on Philips’ own carbon-neutral operations since 2020, Chris acknowledged that organisations are at different stages of their sustainability journey. However, he reinforced that this is a collective mission: “Nobody wins unless we all win.”

In closing, Chris encouraged BHTA and AXREM members to see sustainability not as a compliance burden, but as an innovation opportunity. By aligning with the NHS net zero roadmap and embracing circular economy principles, suppliers can lead the way in building a healthier, more resilient future for both people and the planet.