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Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Friday, 15 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Monday, 1 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Surgery: Protective Clothing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing reusable scrub hats in surgical theatres, fitted with Velcro name-and-role panels, in improving patient safety and experience; what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing such hats; and what assessment he has made of any potential reduction in litigation and associated costs arising from their use.

Answer

The Department and NHS England are exploring expanded use of reusable products in the National Health Service, including reusable theatre hats, to deliver on the Government’s vision for a circular economy for medical technology by 2045. This vision is set out in the Design for Life Roadmap, published in October 2024, and aims to deliver improved value for money, resilience, sustainability and economic growth by maximising reuse, remanufacture and recycling of medical products. The Design for Life Roadmap is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/design-for-life-roadmap

As part of this programme, the Department leads a dedicated adoption working group, including clinical and procurement professionals, to maintain a list of circular products that offer the greatest benefits to the NHS, and explore approaches for safe, accelerated adoption at national scale. Reusable theatre caps are on this product list, and the Department is considering evidence of their costs and benefits, including potential quality improvements for patient care through the improved communication and identification of medical staff offered by labelling or embroidering.

Following review of these and other products, the Department will be exploring options for accelerating national adoption of a select range of reusable products in the NHS, potentially including reusable theatre caps, to drive cost savings, resilience and carbon reductions.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1675
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Costs Protective clothing Surgery
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk