A new free training programme, funded by the Department of Health, aims to support NHS staff to ethically procure goods and services.
Developed in partnership with the BMA and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) the training is designed to support the Ethical Procurement for Health workbook launched in 2011. Together, they provide practical advice for healthcare buyers, helping them to identify poor labour standards and take action through the procurement process and engagement with suppliers. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA’s director of professional activities, said: “Some medical products used in the NHS are produced in unhealthy, unsafe and unfair working conditions. Workers in the developing world are often exposed to hazardous conditions where they risk serious injury and even death to make goods bound for the NHS. There is also evidence of child labour and bonded labour which is essentially a form of slavery.” Dr Dan Poulter, Health Minister said: “Poor labour standards within supply chains of products and services provided to the NHS are inexcusable. These materials will help NHS buyers with ethical procurement, and help to protect the health and wellbeing of workers in the supply chain.”
