Positively Green

Derriford Hospital Theatres have made a simple but meaningful change to the way we prepare patients’ skin before surgery. We’ve moved from single‑use ChloraPrep applicators to Prevantics Red, a bottled antiseptic solution that uses the same trusted ingredients recommended by national guidelines. After a successful trial in Oesophago‑Gastric Surgery, the change was introduced across all theatre specialties, with teams reporting that it fits smoothly into everyday practice.

Theatres use a large amount of single‑use equipment, and reducing this waste is an important part of our Trust’s commitment to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. ChloraPrep applicators contained both plastic and a small glass ampoule, creating a high‑volume waste stream for an item used for only a few seconds. We wanted to find an alternative that was just as safe for patients but kinder to the environment.

Prevantics Red offered exactly that. It contains the same pharmaceutical‑grade ingredients, is used in the same way, and has strong evidence from other NHS hospitals showing no increase in infection rates. A wide group of colleagues, including theatre teams, pharmacy, procurement, infection prevention and sustainability, worked together to make sure the change was safe, practical and easy for staff.

The results have been impressive. Switching to Prevantics Red has reduced costs by 85%, saving around £200,000 each year, and cut plastic waste by 82%, removing 1.7 tonnes of waste and eliminating glass from this product entirely. Infection rates remain stable, and staff report no change in how the product feels to use.

This project shows how small, thoughtful changes in everyday clinical practice can make a big difference. It has now become standard across all our theatres and is already inspiring other teams and neighbouring trusts to explore similar opportunities to reduce waste, cut carbon and support a more sustainable NHS.