Focus group participants needed - Circular design

In October 2024, the UK government committed to transitioning away from all avoidable single-use medtech products towards a functioning circular system by 2045, where equipment is reused, remanufactured and recycled. As outlined in the Design for Life roadmap, a functioning circular system will mean that more of the £10 billion the NHS spends on medical devices can support UK life sciences, increasing resilience, reducing waste and emissions, and delivering cost savings for the NHS, that can be redirected into frontline care. Supporting this commitment, the Greener NHS are running focus groups to understand the barriers and enablers frontline staff face when implementing circularity initiatives in the NHS and social care. Examples include reducing single-use PPE (e.g. gloves) or introducing reusable alternatives (e.g. tourniquets).

Who we’re looking for:  Frontline staff in England with direct (or attempted) involvement in projects to reduce or switch from single-use to reusable products, including:

• Reduction: PPE (gloves, aprons), pulp products (wash bowls, couch roll), linen
• Reuse: Blood pressure cuffs, tourniquets, sharps bins, gowns, scissors, theatre hats

'Frontline staff' include clinicians, associates, support workers (doctors, nurses & midwives, AHPs, healthcare assistants, ward managers), or colleagues engaged in sustainability and/or procurement.

Details:

• Format: Online focus group or 1:1 interview
• Duration: 45–60 minutes
• Dates: Flexible, based on availability
• Confidentiality: Voluntary, withdraw anytime; all data anonymised

Why participate?  Your insights will shape practical recommendations, resources, and interventions to support circularity adoption. You’ll have opportunities to test and give feedback on these resources before they’re published. Even if you can’t join now, please register your interest for future sessions; as such we will be keeping this 'sign up' form live until we have reached appropriate data saturation from the focus groups.

For more information or to sign up please access the form via this link or scan the QR code below. Please share with any other colleagues in the system who might be interested.