Improving sustainability in sexual health: A pilot project reintroducing reusable stainless steel vaginal specula at a sexual health clinic

Abstract

Introduction: In line with the NHS net zero initiative, University Hospitals Sussex (UHS) committed to a Green Plan which included the introduction of reusable instruments. Following positive responses from a staff and patient survey in 2021, the sexual health and contraception (SHAC) department began a pilot scheme of 100 medium size reusable stainless steel vaginal specula (RMS) as an alternative to disposable acrylic models. The aim was to determine outcomes regarding sustainability goals and clinician experiences. Methods: Estimated carbon footprint and cost was calculated for actual use during study period, and expected use if RMS were to be exclusively used in the future. A staff questionnaire was distributed to ascertain attitudes towards RMS, including obstacles to their use and how these might be overcome. Results: Monthly medium size plastic specula use decreased during the pilot, resulting in a 22.4% reduction in carbon footprint. Exclusively using RMS for all examinations could reduce carbon emissions by 85.6%. Clinicians had an overall positive attitude towards RMS. Key obstacles to use were poorly stocked rooms and insufficient variety of size. Discussion: The success of this pilot scheme is being built upon by investing in a greater variety of sizes of RMS for use in SHAC aiming for a 100% reusable system.