SNP Government ‘bailed out’ clinical waste firm Tradebe after devastating depot fire

The Scottish National Party (SNP) government has come under scrutiny for reportedly providing a financial bailout to clinical waste management company Tradebe following a devastating fire at their depot. Tradebe, a multinational company, had secured a £120 million contract in 2019 to handle hazardous waste, including human remains, from healthcare facilities across Scotland. However, due to a fire at their processing plant in Bellshill in July 2021, the company had to transport clinical waste to England for disposal.

It has now emerged that Tradebe received an additional £5.4 million from National Services Scotland (NSS) after the fire. Opposition parties, particularly Labour, have criticised the SNP government for failing to ensure a sustainable plan for managing Scotland’s clinical waste. This criticism comes after a previous scandal in 2018 involving another waste management company, Healthcare Environmental Services (HES), which left tonnes of human remains accumulated in a warehouse.

Labour’s health spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, raised concerns about the lack of due diligence in awarding contracts to Tradebe and highlighted the financial burden on taxpayers. Tradebe secured a 10-year contract in 2019 following the collapse of HES, which had led to financial difficulties for its employees and a backlog of waste to clear.

Tradebe’s track record also raised questions, as the company had faced environmental and safety issues in the past. Despite the challenges, Tradebe has continued to deliver waste management services to NHS Scotland. The Scottish Government has emphasised the importance of clinical waste disposal for the functioning of the healthcare system and clarified that contracts with waste management companies are managed by health boards, not directly by the government.

NSS has outlined efforts to establish a stable and efficient waste management system following the turmoil caused by the collapse of HES and subsequent challenges faced by Tradebe. The development of a new waste management facility at Queenslie has helped enhance Scotland’s clinical waste infrastructure. Tradebe’s response has affirmed their commitment to maintaining a high-quality service for NHS Scotland.

In conclusion, the handling of clinical waste management in Scotland has faced significant challenges in recent years, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in contract decisions. The incidents involving Tradebe and HES highlight the need for a robust and sustainable approach to healthcare waste disposal to prevent such crises in the future.