Rethinking Surgical Textiles in the NHS

Gowns and drapes are often treated as simple consumables, but they sit at the intersection of cost control, net zero delivery, infection prevention, and supply resilience.

As pressures on Trusts increase and net zero targets accelerate, there’s a growing case for viewing textile systems not just through unit price, but as part of wider clinical infrastructure.

In this article, we explore:

• Why unit price doesn’t reflect total system value
• The role of reusable textiles in reducing carbon and waste
• How lifecycle performance and compliance are assured
• What textile strategy means for supply resilience

The shift isn’t just about reusable vs disposable – it’s about taking a systems-based approach.

We’re keen to hear perspectives from procurement leads, theatre managers and sustainability colleagues. How are surgical textiles currently evaluated in your Trust – primarily on unit price, or through a broader systems lens?

Read more below 👇

Rethinking Surgical Textiles in the NHS