Sustainable procurement in health and social care in Northern Ireland

This article reports on a sustainable public procurement project in Northern Ireland. The authors found that limited official guidance was available, especially on equality; nevertheless staff had positive attitudes and sustainability criteria were being embedded in procurement processes. While there is a need to overcome limited knowledge on social aspects and whole life costing, sustainable procurement was found to be compatible with efficiency. Sustainable procurement, if used effectively by confident and well-qualified staff, can achieve not only sustainability goals but also those relating to efficiency and economic recovery.