Colleagues from Families and Specialist Services and Medicine are getting together to identify how we can make cost savings by reducing consumables waste. Through setting up a Consumables Waste Reduction portfolio, they have set a target to save £150,000 for 2026/27 as part of our drive to spend smarter together. 

Led by FSS Operations Manager, Lisa Radcliffe, Medicines Operations Manager, Tom Whittle and Deputy Director of Operations for Medicine, Jason Bushby, they initially identified colleagues across both divisions who have an interest in reducing waste and advancing the green agenda. Then, as time has gone on, more people have joined through word of mouth. They now have a working group that meets on a drop-in basis every two weeks, and a portfolio group that meets monthly.

It’s generated lots of ideas, such as disposing of waste correctly, centralising stock to reduce waste and reviewing items in the central stores before purchasing new ones. 

Tom told us: "Ideas which may seem small to begin with can make a huge impact. It can feel like a big ask on top of our day jobs to try and look at where we might make savings, but ideas can come from just thinking about the little tasks we do like clockwork. Some of the ideas generated by the group have been fantastic, and ultimately what we should have been doing anyway - such as separating waste correctly as we are charged based on weight. Thank you to the Medicine and FSS teams who have got involved, it is making a difference."

Lisa said: "There are several projects that are starting to build traction and we are optimistic that the portfolio will deliver our expected £150,000 cost saving in full for the year. There was a similar scheme within the Surgery and Anaesthetics Division in previous years that generated greater savings each year as the traction and popularity built within the division. It is great that we are able to see the successes from other areas in the Trust and see what we can take from those to translate to cost savings in our own areas. We are hopeful that this portfolio will drive the same levels of engagement across the whole Trust."

If you have any ideas or are interested in joining the Consumables Reduction Portfolio, please get in touch with Lisa, Tom or Jason.