Behind the scenes of a more sustainable OUH

From uniforms and scrubs to bed linen and laundry deliveries, around 90,000 items belonging to Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) are processed each week as part of a wider laundry service handling around 700,000 items.

For Amanda Simpson, part of the Estates and Facilities team at the John Radcliffe Hospital, it presents an opportunity to make a difference. By finding practical ways to reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and save money, she is helping support staff, patients and the Trust's wider sustainability ambitions.

Working closely with colleagues in Procurement, Sustainability and OUH's linen supplier, Deputy Linen Services Manager Amanda has helped introduce a range of initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the Trust's linen and uniform services.

These include increasing the reuse and repair of uniforms, introducing recycling schemes for items that can no longer be used, reducing unnecessary deliveries and raising awareness of how linen and scrubs are used across the organisation.

Amanda has also helped review the Trust's linen policy to increase opportunities for repair, helping extend the life of uniforms, linen and other materials while reducing unnecessary washing, waste, water use and energy consumption.

A second-hand uniform rail allows staff to swap and reuse items that remain in good condition, while redundant uniforms have been repurposed for other uses, helping reduce the need for new materials.

A recent project focused on recovering hospital linen from care homes that inadvertently leaves the Trust with discharged patients. Over time, thousands of items of linen can go unreturned, increasing costs and the environmental impact associated with replacing stock. Care homes that have accumulated hospital linen are encouraged to contact the Trust's laundry supplier so it can be collected and returned for reuse.

Amanda said: "I believe that making small changes on a daily basis will make a big difference for future generations. If each of us takes simple steps towards living more consciously, together those choices can create lasting positive change."

Amanda is also working on future initiatives, including increasing opportunities to recover and recycle end-of-life items, enabling materials to be repurposed into items such as mops.

Amanda was shortlisted for the Award for Sustainability at the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026. Her work has also been recognised within OUH and beyond, featuring in the Trust's Green Plan and being shared nationally as an example of good practice.

Lisa Hofen, Chief Estates and Facilities Officer with responsibility for sustainability at OUH, said: "Amanda's work demonstrates the important contribution that operational teams make to our sustainability ambitions. By identifying practical improvements and building strong partnerships with colleagues and suppliers, she has helped embed sustainability into everyday processes.

"Thank you to Amanda and all OUH staff who are leading sustainability projects like this.”