Suppliers urged to drive sustainable practices at BHTA and AXREM conference

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   Chris urged a move away from the outdated linear model of “take, make, dispose”.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.