Design for Life National Reduce and Reuse MedTech Products Programme

The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking to commission an external provider to deliver research, analytical, implementation and programme roll out support services for the Design for Life National Reduce and Reuse Campaign Programme. The programme will support the adoption of specified circular MedTech products and associated interventions as they progress through investigation, piloting and, where appropriate, national roll-out.

This initiative supports the Government’s ambition to transition away from avoidable single-use MedTech products by 2045 through the Design for Life programme. The work is expected to include support for the soft launch pilots that will commence alongside the launch of the campaign itself. These pilots will validate the central guidance materials that will form the basis of the eventual, potential national rollout for this year’s priority reusable products, currently anticipated to include tourniquets, blood pressure cuffs, theatre caps and sharps bins. Alongside this, the work will include investigation and evidence development for future priority product areas such as scissors, medical textiles, and A&E suture kits.

Key Deliverables

1. Recruit, mobilise and support approximately 15–20 NHS Trusts or other relevant implementation partners to participate in soft launch pilots for priority circular MedTech products.
2. Provide participating organisations with support on sustainability and circular economy fundamentals, quality improvement metrics, data capture and operational skills for sustainable transformation programmes.
3. Undertake quality, equality, patient impact, benefits, sustainability, social value and health economic assessments using appropriate recognised methodologies.
4. Conduct behavioural insight and adoption assessment work, including barriers and enablers to adoption across clinical, estates, commercial, infection prevention and control, and leadership teams.
5. Develop adoption metrics, evidence reports, lessons learned, implementation guidance, toolkits, options appraisals and recommendations to inform future campaigns and potential national roll-out.

The initial work is expected to comprise two initial projects: project 1 - soft launch pilot support for selected reusable priority products, and project 2 investigation/evidence development for future priority product areas. Additional in-scope activity may be commissioned during the contract term where it remains aligned to the programme lifecycle, contract scope, duration and value.

DHSC is particularly interested in suppliers who have access to multidisciplinary expertise and capability across: