Giving surgical instruments a longer life: how repair supports greener theatres
Every surgical instrument that can be safely repaired is one less instrument a hospital needs to replace. For NHS teams looking to reduce waste and manage costs, that makes repair and refurbishment an important part of the sustainability conversation.
At Surgical Holdings, we manufacture reusable surgical instruments and help hospitals keep them working for longer. Our Southend team repairs everything from general and specialist instruments to rigid endoscopes, orthopaedic power tools and ultrasound probes.
Over the last 12 months, we’ve repaired around 30,000 devices, helping to extend their lifespan and reduce the need for replacement. Across our repair and refurbishment work, we estimate that we’ve helped save nearly 18,500 kg of CO₂.
Keeping whole instrument trays in use
Instruments within a surgical tray do not all wear out at the same time. Some need sharpening or a new surface finish; others need a more substantial repair. Refurbishing the tray allows hospitals to address those issues while continuing to use the instruments that remain fit for purpose.
Our full-tray service includes repairs, re-polishing, laser marking for traceability and re-passivation to support corrosion resistance. We estimate that refurbishment can save up to 80% compared with buying new instruments.
Through our SMART Repair service, we repair instruments to an ‘as new’ condition wherever possible. When an eligible instrument cannot be repaired, our Repair or Replace Promise means we can replace it for the price of a repair. This helps hospitals plan maintenance costs and keep their trays in service.
Repair expertise in Southend
Our technicians draw on manufacturing expertise to assess how an instrument should be restored and tested. Repairs can range from sharpening scissors and replacing damaged tips to welding, recoating and refinishing.
We have continued to invest in that capability, expanding our rigid endoscope repair department, adding a facility for orthopaedic power tool repairs and developing an ultrasonic cleaning line. Repairing equipment in the UK also means hospitals can avoid sending it overseas for maintenance.
The NHS has set an ambition to reach net zero by 2045. Our contribution is practical: make durable, reusable products, maintain them well and repair them whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
We set out our wider environmental commitments in our Sustainability Executive Summary.
Want to find out whether your instruments or trays could be repaired or refurbished? Get in touch with our team.