Written question WQ83552
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What steps has the Welsh Government taken to ensure that the billion items of PPE issued to keep NHS and social care staff safe have been disposed of responsibly?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
PPE from healthcare settings is potentially infectious. Prior to disposal, the majority of waste is treated by a steam sterilisation process with the remainder being incinerated, in accordance with the legal framework for treatment of infectious waste from healthcare settings. This requires appropriate permits and process control to ensure the treatment carried out is effective and does not give rise to unacceptable emissions. Steam sterilisation yields a residual waste material which is used as a refuse derived fuel for Energy from Waste (EfW) plants, therefore avoiding landfill.
We continue to work with the waste regulator Natural Resources Wales, and Public Health Wales to update guidance to ensure the Health and Care sectors are fully aware of their responsibilities for the management of clinical waste, and with the NHS in Wales and England, and operators to ensure responsible disposal of used PPE.
Welsh Government welcomes innovation from industry to tackle the challenges of single use plastics in healthcare settings as we move towards a circular economy by 2050.