Elis launches Healthcare Textile Improvement Programme

The Healthcare Textile Improvement Programme (HTIP) has been developed in response to customer feedback, and aims to improve the ongoing management and control of the company’s stock levels in collaboration with NHS and private hospital partners. It is based on the concept of the ‘4 Rs’: Rent it. Respect it. Return it. Reuse it. By adhering to these principles, Trusts can help to maximise service levels, reduce clinical waste and increase product sustainability.

Over three years, Elis UK purchased 7.45-million pieces of rental linen – 610,000 of these items were condemned, leaving 6.84-million unaccounted for. The goal of the Healthcare Textile Improvement Programme is to understand this unexplained gap of 6.84-million pieces and reduce it, which will assist in creating a healthy circular economy on the path to net zero.

Cutting down on linen replacement will offer Trusts a number of additional benefits, including lower service costs, a reduction in the amount of linen sent for incineration or discarded before end of life, and improved stock availability.

Roberta Charlett, Head of Marketing at Elis UK, comments: “We all have a duty of care and, if hospital linen is rented, we are asking our customers to look after it appropriately and ensure it is returned to us for reprocessing. 

“Lost, misused or thrown-away linen products can lead to increased rental prices and depleted stock levels, and we know from listening to our customers’ feedback that these are areas of concern. 

“With increasing cost pressures, as well as the pressing need to improve sustainability on the road to net zero, it is more important than ever that the NHS works closely with suppliers to help streamline the operation of its services. It is hoped that the Healthcare Textile Improvement Programme will play a vital role in enhancing the efficiency of our hospital linen rental process, and we look forward to working with our customers to deliver this.”

Elis combines 100 years’ experience with the expertise of over 9,000 dedicated colleagues, offering a wide range of healthcare textiles to help hospitals exceed expectations in terms of quality, safety and dignity.

For more information visit www.uk.elis.com