How clinician-led ideas and collaborative innovation are transforming medical pulp products
When I first joined the medical pulp category, I knew it would involve working closely with trusts and suppliers, but what I didn’t anticipate was just how collaborative and people-focused the role would be. Procurement is often thought of as contracts, catalogues and frameworks, but in reality it is much more than that. It is about understanding the pressures teams face, listening to clinicians on the frontline, and working together to make sure the products they rely on every day are safe, effective and fit for purpose.
Over the past year, I have been involved in three key initiatives, each one teaching me something new. Two have been driven by clinicians who identified gaps and designed solutions to address them, while the third has been led by our team, shaped by valuable insights from frontline staff and trust buyers. None of these projects have been straightforward. Every trust works differently, priorities often compete, and change can be challenging in such a complex environment. But I’ve learned that when we listen to clinicians, suppliers and patients, and involve everyone from the start, we can deliver real improvements.
One of the most exciting examples of this has been the launch of Pee in Pot (PiP), a sustainable, single-solution pulp vessel that simplifies mid-stream urine collection. The idea came from clinicians at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, who noticed how inconsistent testing practices were across different wards. Some areas used multiple items to achieve the same outcome, while others developed their own local approaches entirely. By bringing nursing staff and healthcare assistants together, the team designed a product that reduced spills, improved hygiene and removed the need for multiple plastic components.
We became involved later in the process to support the team in getting PiP listed compliantly under the NHS Supply Chain Medical Pulp Products Framework agreement, making it accessible to trusts nationwide. Alongside this, we worked closely with our sustainability colleagues to understand the wider impact. PiP can reduce carbon emissions by up to 85 percent and help trusts move away from unnecessary plastics.
Working on PiP taught me a lot about how ideas developed on the ward can grow into solutions that benefit the wider NHS. It also highlighted just how many people and processes are involved in getting a product from idea to catalogue. There are countless checks, approvals and considerations around safety, infection control, cost and sustainability. It takes time and persistence, but the result is worth it.
The second project I have been involved with focuses on making an existing product range more inclusive. Clinicians highlighted that the current urinal bottle designs do not meet the needs of all patients, particularly women, younger patients and those who find existing products uncomfortable or unsuitable. Many staff were adapting the products to make them work better, and these workarounds showed there was a clear gap in what we offered.
We have been working closely with clinicians and suppliers to trial an adapted design that aims to be more universal. The goal is to help trusts simplify their ranges while supporting a broader and more diverse group of patient needs. Gathering feedback has been essential, as what works well in one trust does not always translate directly to another. Processes vary, patient demographics differ and procurement priorities are rarely the same. That is why collaboration is so important at this stage, and we are still in the process of testing the product in real-life settings. We are looking for NHS trusts willing to work with us on evaluating this product, so if your team is interested, we would love to hear from you.
The final initiative is slightly different because it focuses on changing habits rather than introducing something new. We call it the double bowling initiative, and it looks at the practice of using two or more patient washbowls at once because of concerns about leaks and hygiene. This project has been led by our team, but the insights we gained from clinicians and trust buyers have been essential to understanding why double bowling became so common.
In early conversations, many clinicians told us they used extra bowls because they were worried about leaks. We listened, then ran rigorous tests both in trust settings and in controlled laboratory environments. These confirmed that the washbowls perform exactly as intended when used correctly. The issue was not the product itself but rather historic habits based on older designs and long-held perceptions.
Changing behaviours like this is never simple. It involves unpicking long-standing practices, supporting teams with clear information and creating resources that trusts can adapt locally to suit their own ways of working. We have developed materials to help trusts educate staff on best practice, showing how to fill the bowl in the right order and why it should be disposed of within the recommended two-hour window. By reducing the number of bowls used, we can help trusts lower costs, improve sustainability and focus resources where they are needed most.
Looking back on these projects, what strikes me most is the importance of partnership. None of this work happens in isolation. Whether it is an innovation designed on the ward or a change in how we use existing products, it requires clinicians, suppliers, procurement specialists and trust teams working together to make progress. These are not glamorous products, but they are essential ones, and the way we buy, use and innovate them can make a meaningful difference to both patients and staff.
Want to get involved or find out more?
- Pee in Pot (PiP): Visit the NHS Supply Chain website for more information.
- Inclusive urinal bottle trials: We are looking for trusts to help us evaluate the adapted design. Contact our team at facilitiesandofficesolutionssupport@supplychain.nhs.uk.
- Double bowling resources: Find out more about stopping double bowling practices in your organisation and access supporting materials here.
Looking Ahead
With the Medical Pulp NCP4 contract now live, covering nine products and delivering cash-releasing savings, we’re already exploring the next wave of innovation. Whether it’s smarter urinal designs or new washbowl solutions, our focus remains on clinician-led development and real-world impact.
I’m proud to be part of a team that listens to clinicians, responds to their needs, and turns their ideas into products that improve care. That’s what procurement should be, and that’s what the pulp category is becoming.