In a new, green and cost-saving initiative, the team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) collaborated with Versapak to develop secure, reusable bags for patients’ personal belongings. The partnership, led by Sam Goonan, SAPU Ward Manager, has resulted in an innovative product recognised as a finalist in the Sustainability in Nursing and Midwifery category at the 2025 Nursing Times Awards.
The Idea Behind the Bag: The concept started when the husband of an RNOH patient, who works for Versapak, identified opportunities to improve the hospital’s single-use plastic bags. He shared his ideas with the hospital, sparking a collaboration to create a greener, longer-lasting alternative.
Designing a Better Solution: Working closely with Sam Goonan and the SAPU team, Versapak designed and tested a prototype bag that addressed key issues around infection prevention, usability, and environmental impact.
The result was the Reusable Patient Property Bag, a secure and sustainable replacement for single-use bags. The new design provides ample space for clothing, footwear, and personal items, while meeting NHS infection prevention standards.
Built for Security and Sustainability: Each bag is uniquely identifiable with the use of a numbered T2 seal. Each Reusable Patient Property Bag can be reused more than 200 times, significantly reducing both waste and cost. The tamper-evident T2 security seal, unique to Versapak, protects the patient’s property during their stay. Once used, the seals can be returned to Versapak who recycle them, further minimising environmental impact.
Specific collection bins have been introduced across wards, allowing bags to be returned, cleaned, and quickly reissued for the next patient, ensuring a smooth and sustainable cycle of reuse.
A Positive Impact for Patients and Staff: Following a successful trial, the feedback from both patients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. The initiative has already contributed to reducing single-use plastic waste and lowering costs, while supporting the NHS’s wider Net Zero and sustainability goals.
Recognised for Innovation in Sustainability The Versapak Reusable Patient Property Bag was recognised as a finalist at the 2025 Nursing Times Awards for Sustainability in Nursing and Midwifery, celebrating innovation and collaboration within healthcare.
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