After a major public consultation launched today (Thursday 21st November) to ensure goods or services purchased by the NHS are not linked to forced labour or human trafficking, tough measures will find public bodies who do this in breach of the law. This enquiry will continue until 6th February 2025.

More than 21 per cent of NHS suppliers were recently found to be at ‘high risk’ or involving modern slavery in their supply chains, with surgical instruments, gloves, gowns, uniforms, and face masks identified as the highest-risk products.

Proposed new measures would require public bodies by law to identify and mitigate risk of modern slavery when procuring goods for the NHS. Organisations will be required to work with suppliers to find risks and identify solutions.

These new regulations will apply to all public bodies supplying health goods and services, including NHS trusts, integrated care boards and local authorities.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said:

"The NHS is a public service built on compassion and equality, values which are completely antithetical to the heinous evil of modern slavery.

"These new measures will ensure vital checks are made and public bodies act to stamp out the crimes of slavery and human trafficking."

As the NHS is the UK’s biggest public procurer all NHS are empowered and encouraged to act as whistle blowers to report on incidents of slavery and human trafficking, supported by staff training courses.

Those working in government procurement have been advised to involve law enforcement agencies should they suspect workers are being subjected to modern slavery, and to call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.

Jacqui Rock, chief commercial officer, NHS England said:

"Modern slavery is insidious and needs to be eradicated from the NHS supply chain.

"While our procurement follows the government’s standard selection questionnaire, which addresses modern slavery risk, there is much more to do.

"We have a responsibility to ensure a zero-tolerance policy to modern slavery – and the more stakeholders that respond to this consultation will help strengthen these measures and help us wipe out this crime in the NHS supply chain."