Tired of replacing the same furniture every couple of years?
The majority of healthcare companies purchase based on price. It makes sense when you are buying. Why? Because if it costs less, then:
- More budget left over
- Faster sign-off from finance
Here's the problem:
Inexpensive goods don't last long. And when they break down, you purchase more... and more... and more.
Buying cheap is not the same as buying smart.
Sustainable procurement turns that logic on its head. Rather than purchasing what's cheapest now, you purchase for maximum lifespan. That reduces waste, saves money and keeps patients cozy for the long haul.
Let's jump in!
Inside this guide:
- What Is Sustainable Procurement?
- Where Day Room Chairs Fit In
- Why Buying For Longevity Matters
- 5x Ways To Buy For Longevity
What Is Sustainable Procurement?
Sustainable procurement means purchasing products and services with consideration for their entire life cycle.
Which means considering more than just sticker shock. You consider the longevity of a product, its reparability, and its end of life.
It includes anything that a medical practice purchases. From equipment to furniture to supplies, even cleaners.
And it makes more difference than many realise. Medicine is very emissions-intensive. The NHS alone accounts for 4% of UK emissions.
...The largest proportion of an NHS organisation's footprint is not from heating hospitals or driving ambulances. It comes from what they purchase. Approximately 62% of its carbon footprint is associated with procurement of goods and services.
Pretty eye-opening, right?
Where Day Room Chairs Fit In
The easiest places to begin are often with furniture. Day room chairs are a perfect example.
Patients sit in them all day, every day. Visitors wheel them from place to place. Cleaners wipe them down multiple times a shift.
That's a lot of wear and tear.
Think about it:
An inexpensive chair can look great when it arrives. After a year or two, the seams tear, the foam compresses and the frame loosens. Purpose-designed chairs for medical centers are built to withstand heavy traffic, frequent disinfecting and a variety of mobility challenges. One high-quality day room chair with wipe-clean upholstery and a sturdy frame could last you several cheap models.
Room chairs should also be easy to repair. With removable covers, replaceable seat pads and standard parts one problem area won't mean the whole chair ends up in landfill.
Here's a great example of this in action...
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust partnered with local charities to repair damaged furniture. The charities have repaired and returned 132 pieces of furniture for the Trust to reuse.
That's 132 items that didn't need replacing.
Why Buying For Longevity Matters
Every replacement purchase has a silent expense. You pay for the item itself, shipping charges, haul away of the old product and labor to handle the transaction.
Now multiply that by every ward, clinic and waiting room.
Longer life = Fewer replacements = Lower costs.
It's also a compliance issue. As of April 2022 all NHS procurement has had a minimum 10% weighting for net zero and social value. NHS procurement is also targeting net zero on emissions it can influence through suppliers by 2045.
Translation: Put simply...sustainability is no longer a tick box. If you deal with or supply to the NHS, it's part of the criteria.
5x Ways To Buy For Longevity
Ok, now something useful. These techniques apply to any health business, a solo GP surgery all the way up to a large care group. Choose which ones resonate with you and start with those.
Look At Total Cost Of Ownership
The price on the invoice is only the beginning.
Total cost of ownership factors in purchase price, maintenance, repairs, cleaning and disposal costs. Buying a chair that costs twice as much but will last four times longer will actually save you money.
Create a basic spreadsheet for your large purchases. Compare how much it costs per year of usage, rather than initial cost. The winner is often shocking.
Ask Suppliers The Right Questions
Suppliers know their products better than anyone. So ask them directly:
How long is the warranty?
- Are spare parts available?
- Can covers and cushions be replaced?
- What happens to the product at end of life?
If a supplier can't answer these questions... that's a red flag.
Choose Materials That Handle Cleaning
Medical furniture is cleaned much more than furniture in any other setting. Harsh cleaners can crack vinyl, fade fabric, and rust metal.
Seek out fabrics that have been tested with hospital-grade cleaners. It's one of the most underrated factors when purchasing for durability. Also one of the leading causes of early product failure.
Plan For Repair And Reuse
Before anything goes in a skip, ask one question:
Can it be fixed?
Establish an easy mechanism for employees to report damage early. Small repairs are inexpensive. Large repairs (or replacements) cost mucho $.
When something has reached the end of its useful life somewhere, see if it can begin life somewhere else. That chair that no longer suits your clinical area may just be what you need in your staff room.
Buy Better, Not More
This is the simplest strategy of all.
Before you order something ask yourself if you need it. Could you borrow stock from another department? Could one quality item replace two cheaper ones?
The quickest way to save money and reduce emissions simultaneously is to buy less. Seriously.
Putting It Into Practice
Buying green doesn't mean you have to spend more money. It's buying smarter. When purchasing with sustainability in mind you:
- Save money – fewer replacements over time.
- Cut waste – less furniture and equipment heading to landfill.
-
Improve care – patients and staff get products that stay comfortable and safe.
Choose one category. Day room chairs, perhaps. Apply total cost of ownership to that one category. See the savings realized. Expand TCO throughout your purchasing.
Buy once. Buy well. Then watch the savings stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are day room chairs?
Day room chairs are chairs utilized in patient lounges, wards or waiting areas. As they are designed for extended sitting durations, day room chairs must be comfortable and supportive and easy to sanitize.
How long should day room chairs last?
That depends on build quality and maintenance. Sturdy frames, wipe-clean upholstery and easily replaced components will go a long way towards longevity compared to economy styles.
What is the easiest way to start sustainable procurement?
Choose one category of products that you frequently buy. Assess the lifetime cost of your current choice versus a more durable option. Then switch!
