Vernacare: Protecting safety & dignity: Pioneering sustainable manufacturing

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are delighted to showcase Vernacare as our Healthcare Solutions Manufacturing Company of the Month.

Serious health issues are perpetually in the headlines, and the costly impact of Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI’s) and needlestick injuries is of great concern to those affected.

HCAIs pose a serious threat to patient safety. Over four million people acquire a HCAI every year in Europe alone, with around 37,000 people dying annually as a direct result of the infection1. There are also worrying statistics about low rates of cervical smear tests. The NHS reports that three out of ten women do not regularly attend cervical smear tests, which are vital for the early detection of the HPV virus, which can lead to cervical cancer.2

Introducing Vernacare: Empowering the healthcare sector with world-class, sustainable solutionsVernacare offers infection prevention, clinical waste management and surgical solutions to thousands of customers across the global healthcare market. With five UK manufacturing facilities, reaching over 65 international countries via a network of distributors, Vernacare had a turnover of £128 million in the last financial year.

In today’s climate though, it is not enough to solely manufacture premium healthcare products, they need to be sustainable too. With all eyes on the UK Government’s 2050 Net Zero targets and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Vernacare is striving to reduce its own manufacturing carbon footprint, by championing its own ‘Strive for 45’ initiative. Recognised with an EcoVadis Bronze Medal, Bronze Carbon Literacy Status and Medilink Sustainable Award in the ‘Healthcare Business Awards 2024, this company is trailblazing its sustainability best practices.

In 2024, Vernacare secured research funding for the University of Manchester’s Henry Royce Institute that could lead to more sustainable product development of their pulp washbowls. This year also saw the closure of Vernacare’s surgical instrument manufacturing facility in China, bringing more manufacturing back to the UK, creating 12 additional jobs and the removal of 28 tonnes of CO2e from the firms carbon footprint each year.

Spotlight on Vernacare’s historyVernacare has acquired a rich history, dating back to 1848. The business has grown significantly by acquisition strategy to incorporate a number of healthcare manufacturers across the UK, all with a focus on manufacturing single-use items to meet infection control best practices.

The modern day Vernacare boasts a portfolio of healthcare solutions. Since 2017, Synergy Healthcare, Frontier Medical, Robinson Healthcare and Splice Cast Limited were all acquired, adding to a growing range of expert woundcare, clinical waste containers, surgical instruments and women’s health devices.

Vernacare celebrates a distinguished heritage in healthcare manufacturing dating as far back as when Robinson Healthcare was established in the mid 1800’s, supplying wound dressings to soldiers during the Crimean War. The early 1900’s saw dressings supplied for soldiers during World War One and after the introduction of the NHS in 1948, Vernacare began to create medical pulp for use in healthcare facilities in 1964 at the Bolton facility, with its 60th anniversary celebrated this year. Vernacare has continued to pioneer product and manufacturing developments across the portfolio, and invests heavily in new technology and research & development for the future.

Manufactured in the UK, with International reach In the fight against HCAIs, Vernacare offers a range of leading infection prevention brands sold to healthcare facilities around the globe, designed to break the chain of infection.

• Vortex Air: The latest hospital macerator, with in-built SmartFlow™ technology to enable freeflowing drains and touchless technology to limit cross-contamination.

• Azo™: The range of wipes and sprays provide healthcare professionals with simple and effective solutions for cleaning and disinfection.

• Conti: Dry and Wet wipes for personal hygiene.

The Vernacare UK-based team have been busy showcasing their product ranges to delegates at numerous events across the UK aswell as launching its new range of 5 and 7 litre Sharpsafe® containers this year.

Driving needlestick injury preventionThe NHS received 2,600 claims for needlestick injuries between 2012-2022 – amounting to £10.8 million in claims.3 Vernacare have been at the forefront of raising awareness with healthcare staff and this year gave a keynote speech to over 80 nurses on Needlestick Injury Prevention at the IPC Link Champion Network Day in June. Jenna Davies: Global Product Manager for Clinical Waste Management explained how to avoid sharps injuries and showcased the new range of 5 and 7 litre Sharpsafe® containers.

The new 5 and 7 Litre Sharpsafe® containers launched in 2024 now have industry leading safety feature Dual Protect Pro™ – designed to prevent spillage and encourage space saving horizontal fill. The container bases are made from 100% recycled material, manufactured on energy-efficient machines, reducing carbon emissions in the manufacturing process.

From war-time wound care to modern-day surgical solutionsToday, Vernacare is recognised as a global healthcare solutions provider that continues to offer a diverse range of surgical instruments, procedurebased instrument packs, laparoscopic retrieval bags, ENT devices and specialist wound care, including the following:

• Instrapac®: Popular for routine and minor surgical procedures, with a selection of podiatry instruments showcased at the Malvern Diabetic foot conference earlier this year.

• Ultraspec: Women’s unbreakable* vaginal specula for gynaecological procedures such as cervical screening, were promoted at the Primary Care Show, BSCCP and BMS events in Spring.

• The Comfi™ range of tubular bandages for children and adults were showcased at the Skin Tear Pathway Event in Swindon in early July, for all dressing retention and dry wrapping needs.

• bert®: One of the first tissue retrieval bags to be used by laparoscopic surgeons

Vernacare Academy and Online Resource Portal Vernacare offer a leading range of online accredited courses on infection prevention, clinical waste management and surgical solutions, available 24/7 for learner convenience.

The Online Resource Portal meanwhile offers an extensive online directory of resources for Vernacare’s network of global distributors, helping customers improve product knowledge through a centralised information hub.

In conclusion, Vernacare celebrates its rich heritage dating back to the mid-19th century, harnessing technology, manufacturing efficiency and evermoresustainable processes to deliver high quality products and services to the global healthcare market.

To find out more today, please see the contact details and website below: T +44 (0)1204 529494https://vernacare.com

1) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthcareassociated-infections-hcai-point-prevalence-survey-england

2) NHS England » Women urged to take up NHS cervical screening invitations

3) Launch of resources on preventing needlestick injuries –NHS Resolution

*Unbreakable in normal use, independently tested by SMTL