University Hospitals Sussex is set to roll out a pioneering green initiative, the ‘Womble Project,’ across its sites after a successful pilot at St Richard’s Hospital. This project has significantly reduced clinical waste, saved more than £30,000, and enhanced clinical training.
The ‘Womble Project’ repurposes outdated medical equipment that would typically be discarded, for use in educational settings, ensuring a seamless transition from classroom to patient care.
The Wombles, beloved children’s book and TV characters from the 1970s, were known for their environmental efforts, collecting and creatively reusing discarded items. Today, they symbolise environmentalism.
Julie Turner, Deputy Head of Simulation and Essential Clinical Skills, spearheaded this project, spotting a creative opportunity for sustainable change, whilst improving clinical education.
She said: “Working in theatres, I noticed how often out-of-date or unused items were discarded, even though they remained perfectly suitable for training purposes in education. At the same time, I observed the educational department purchasing similar items despite there being no requirement for them to be in-date or sterile.”
Every year, NHS produce more than 150,000 tonnes of clinical waste – that’s more than 400 loaded jumbo jets. Once medical equipment, such as dressings, test kits, and oxygen supplies, are out-of-date and no longer useful, they will be disposed and become clinical waste.
Recognising this, Julie and the team began redirecting these items to educational settings, where it could enhance training, while reducing costs for both educational resources and waste disposal for the Trust.
Julie said: “Though the process was ad-hoc and unlogged, it demonstrated the power of collaboration to drive efficiency and sustainability.”
A six-month pilot project soon followed which aimed to cut down clinical waste by taking the same equipment used in clinical settings to bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing colleagues to learn vital clinical skills using the same equipment found in our hospitals.
Julie explains: “Providing more realistic training experiences places staff in lifelike scenarios, building their confidence and skills in a safe, educational setting. Using the same equipment from the clinical environment creates a more immersive learning experience, making training engaging, adaptable, and effective. We’re turning theory into hands-on experience and being kinder to the planet in the process!”
Following the success of this project, the initiative will now be expanded to the Trust’s four main hospitals, increasing colleagues’ access to training equipment, and expanding our commitment to sustainability across UHSussex.
The Womble Project at UHSussex is officially affiliated with Wombles Operations and is registered as one of their Womble Community Charities – a national network of local community groups united by the shared goal of creating a greener future through various environmental initiatives.
