About the Project

We are exploring ways to replace disposable single-use theatre caps with 100% sustainable and biodegradable reusable alternatives. NHS Golden Jubilee National Hospital currently disposes of nearly 200,000 single-use theatre caps each year. By introducing reusable caps, we aim to reduce waste and associated costs.

In collaboration with NHS Golden Jubilee staff, we have co-designed a range of reusable theatre caps that are personalised with each staff member’s name and role. This not only reduces waste but also improves patient safety, promotes better staff communication, and incident management.

The project began in January 2023, led by Gareth Adkins, Director of Quality, Innovation, and People at NHS Golden Jubilee. Through co-design workshops with hospital staff, including nurses, surgeons, and anaesthetists, we have used a range of creative design research methods such as cultural probes and ‘quick-and-dirty’ prototyping to develop the caps.

The reusable theatre caps have recently undergone manufacturing capability testing with a Scottish manufacturing company outside Glasgow and are now gathering user feedback ahead of a larger production rollout across NHS Scotland. These reusable caps will significantly reduce environmental and economic costs while enhancing patient safety and staff identification in operating theatres across the country.