The government has launched a consultation on new procurement measures that would clamp down on modern slavery within the NHS supply chain.
The proposals would require public procurement bodies, which purchase goods and services for the NHS, to identify and mitigate risks of modern slavery within their supply chains.
A fifth at ‘high risk’
An investigation into the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in the NHS supply chain was presented to parliament in December 2023 – it found that more than a fifth (21%) of suppliers were considered high risk. The five products with the highest risk were identified as:
- Surgical instruments
- Gloves
- Gowns
- Uniforms
- Face masks
“The NHS is a public service built on compassion and equality, values which are completely antithetical to the heinous evil of modern slavery,” said health secretary Wes Streeting. “These new measures will ensure vital checks are made and public bodies act to stamp out the crimes of slavery and human trafficking.”
Zero-tolerance policy
NHS England’s chief commercial officer, Jacqui Rock, emphasised the need for the insidiousness of modern slavery to be eradicated from NHS supply chains.
“While our procurement follows the government’s standard selection questionnaire, which addresses modern slavery risk, there is much more to do,” she said. “We have a responsibility to ensure a zero-tolerance policy to modern slavery – and the more stakeholders that respond to this consultation will help strengthen these measures and help us wipe out this crime in the NHS supply chain.”
The potential new regulations would apply to all relevant public bodies – i.e., NHS trusts, integrated care boards, local authorities etc. The government is inviting public bodies, suppliers, trade associations, interest groups, patients and the wider community to respond to its proposals by February.
Image credit: iStock
