Driving Innovation in Paper Hygiene
Creating Choice and Reducing Waste
As NHS organisations look for practical ways to reduce waste and make better use of resources, product innovation has an important role to play. Within the Paper Hygiene category, work is underway to develop a universal dispenser as a new solution that could help trusts improve value, maintain flexibility and continue to benefit from modern controlled-dispensing technology.
For Category Specialist Tim Cole, one challenge has been particularly clear: how can NHS organisations benefit from the waste reduction offered by hand towel roll systems without becoming tied to a single supplier's product range?
That question has led to the development of a universal hand towel roll dispenser, an innovative project that could help increase competition, improve flexibility and support sustainability goals across the NHS.
"Our aim is to give NHS organisations greater flexibility in the future while maintaining the waste reduction benefits that hand towel roll systems can deliver. By working directly with trusts and suppliers throughout development, we can make sure our solutions meet the needs of the NHS." – Tim Cole, Category Specialist
Many hand towel roll systems currently operate as closed systems, meaning the dispenser and paper towel are designed to work exclusively with one another. While effective in use, this can make it difficult for organisations to switch suppliers without replacing an entire dispenser estate, limiting competition and creating additional costs and disruption. It also means that if a supplier introduced significant price increases or experienced disruption to supply, trusts may have limited ability to move quickly to an alternative product, potentially creating operational and financial pressures.
The universal dispenser project aims to address this by developing a solution that can be used across multiple supplier products, helping NHS organisations strengthen resilience while continuing to benefit from modern controlled-dispensing technology.
The project has now reached an exciting milestone, with eight prototype dispensers currently being reviewed by NHS trusts. Feedback from this first phase will help inform further design development before the next round of testing begins.
The next phase of development will require a small number of additional trusts to support live testing and feedback, helping to shape the final design before it is brought to market. Trusts interested in participating in future testing phases can register their interest by emailing our team on facilitiesandofficesolutionssupport@supplychain.nhs.uk.
Reducing Waste Through Better Design
The sustainability benefits are equally important. By dispensing towels in a controlled manner, roll systems can help reduce unnecessary product use by encouraging users to take only the amount required. Less waste means lower consumption, reduced disposal requirements and better value from every product purchased.
This focus on reducing waste at the point of use aligns with wider efforts across the paper hygiene category to help NHS organisations use products more efficiently while maintaining the standards required in healthcare environments.
Alongside the dispenser project, the team continues to develop core ranges across the paper hygiene category, including couch roll and bulk toilet tissue, helping customers simplify product selection and access savings opportunities. This work has been, and continues to be, shaped by customer feedback, reflecting the changing situation across the NHS and ensuring we are listening and responding to the practical challenges trusts are facing. There is also increasing focus across the NHS on ensuring products such as couch roll are used only where clinically required, helping to reduce unnecessary consumption and waste. If you would like more information about these opportunities, contact our team on facilitiesandofficesolutionssupport@supplychain.nhs.uk.
Looking Ahead
the team is also exploring the potential for a non-branded hand towel sleeve offering, which would standardise the range and offer further savings for trusts. This would offer support affordability while continuing to meet required performance standards. The team will soon be reaching out to trusts with further information on this to gather feedback and look at the next steps.
While Tim continues to drive these initiatives forward, colleagues from the Sustainability Team remain on hand to share expertise and provide guidance as projects develop, helping to ensure sustainability considerations continue to be embedded into future solutions.
Get Involved
The universal dispenser project is entering its next phase, and support from trusts will be essential in helping to test the solution in live environments and inform the project evaluation.
If your organisation would be interested in helping shape the final design of this innovative solution, please contact Tim Cole on tim.cole1@supplychain.nhs.uk.