MP visits British Medical Auctions to see how used or decommissioned NHS equipment can deliver new value

The visit highlights how greater investment in new NHS equipment could also create opportunities to reuse, resell and recover value from existing medical technology. 

Peter Swallow MP, Member of Parliament for Bracknell, visited British Medical Auctions (BMA) on Friday 2nd October to see first-hand how decommissioned and surplus medical equipment can be given a second life, while discussing the importance of continued investment in modern medical technology across the NHS. 

Also joining the visit was AXREM, the UK's leading trade association representing suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment, which BMA are an Affiliated Member. 

During the visit, Mr Swallow toured BMA's operations and met the team to understand how equipment that is no longer required by one healthcare organisation can be remarketed, re-purposed and purchased by another, rather than being stored indefinitely or recycled. 

The visit highlighted an important opportunity for the NHS: investment in new and modern medical equipment and the development of a stronger circular economy should go hand in hand. 

Across the NHS, ageing medical equipment can affect diagnostic capacity, clinical efficiency and the ability of healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care. Continued capital investment is therefore essential to enable NHS organisations to replace outdated equipment and adopt newer technologies. 

However, when equipment is replaced, it does not necessarily mean that it has reached the end of its useful life. 

Through BMA’s established global resale and auction markets equipment that is surplus to one organisation's requirements can be purchased and reutilised. This can extend the working life of valuable medical technology, reduce unnecessary waste and recover financial value for the original owner. 

BMA has returned more than £100 million to healthcare organisations over the last ten years, demonstrating the significant value that can be recovered from medical assets that are no longer required. 

The approach provides a practical example of the circular economy in action and supports the Government's ambition to move towards a more sustainable model for medical technology, where greater consideration is given to the entire lifecycle of equipment. 

Sally Edgington, CEO of AXREM, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Peter Swallow MP to British Medical Auctions and give him the opportunity to see the expertise and infrastructure that exists within our industry to support a more circular approach to healthcare technology. 

“There is a very clear need for continued and increased capital investment in NHS medical equipment. Modern technology is fundamental to increasing diagnostic capacity, supporting clinicians and delivering timely, high-quality patient care. 

“But we also need to think carefully about what happens to equipment when it is replaced. Investment in new equipment should be seen as an opportunity to put decommissioned equipment into a secondary market wherever it remains safe and appropriate to do so - rather than allowing valuable assets to become waste. 

“BMA is a great example of how this can work in practice. By providing a professional marketplace for surplus medical equipment, significant financial value can be recovered for healthcare organisations while equipment continues to be used elsewhere. 

“We need to look at medical equipment across its whole lifecycle. Greater NHS investment in modern equipment, combined with effective routes for repair, refurbishment, reuse and resale, can help deliver better value for taxpayers while supporting the NHS's sustainability ambitions. 

“The circular economy shouldn't be viewed as an alternative to investment. It should be part of how we make that investment work harder.” 

For BMA, the visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the practical role that the secondary medical equipment market can play in supporting both healthcare organisations and wider sustainability objectives. 

Mat Davies, Managing Director at British Medical Auctions, said: “We were delighted to welcome Peter Swallow MP and show him how the secondary medical equipment market works in practice. As one of the world’s Top % funded healthcare systems, the UK presents a significant market for global, used medical equipment buyers., centralised through BMA’s online auction platform and Marketplace.  

“We passionately believe there is a significant opportunity to develop this approach further and make the secondary market an integral part of the NHS's wider approach to equipment procurement, replacement and sustainability.” 

The visit forms part of AXREM's ongoing engagement with policymakers to demonstrate the contribution of the medical technology industry to NHS services, patient care, sustainability and the wider UK economy.