Public bodies procuring goods and services for the NHS would be required to both identify and mitigate risks of modern slavery

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on government proposals to eliminate modern slavery from the NHS supply chain.

This initiative follows a recent government review which revealed that over 21 per cent of NHS suppliers are at high risk of involving modern slavery in the procurement of medical equipment, particularly surgical instruments, gloves, gowns, uniforms, and face masks.

The proposed measures would require public bodies procuring goods and services for the NHS to work with suppliers to identify risks and put forward solutions.

These new regulations would apply to all public bodies procuring health goods and services, including NHS trusts, integrated care boards, and local authorities.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The NHS is a public service built on compassion and equality, values which are completely antithetical to the heinous evil of modern slavery Read More…