The British Medical Association, in partnership with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), and the Department of Health, has launched “Ethical Procurement for Health”, a practical online toolkit to help UK health organisations improve the working conditions in which goods for the NHS are produced.
Dr Mahmood Bhutta, advisor to the BMA’s Fair Medical and Ethical Trade group, said: “The BMA has previously highlighted the poor labour standards and the use of children in the manufacture of goods bound for the NHS. I have visited Pakistan and seen workers producing surgical instruments in terrible conditions. Many work twelve hours a day, seven days a week, some suffering serious injuries due to poor standards of health and safety.” Health Minister Simon Burns added that he would “encourage and expect” all NHS organisations to follow the principles set out “to help limit the potential for labour standards abuses and contribute to the health and wellbeing of people around the world”.
