Celebrating a remarkable milestone of 60 years, Vernacare, a UK-based global healthcare provider, remains a stalwart in supporting patient care through the sustainable manufacture of medical pulp at its notable Bolton facility. Originally established in 1961 as Vernon & Co, Vernacare broke ground in the industry in 1964 by rolling out its first disposable medical product line which included items such as male urinals and bedpans, pioneering in sustainable production and setting artefact standards in infection prevention.
The utilization of overissued newspapers pioneered a new approach in the industry. Today, Vernacare carries an unwavering commitment to improve patient care through the supply of reliable and superior products that underscore both hygiene and dignity. The Trinity of single-use medical pulp, patient care, and infection prevention has been Vernacare’s mantra. This has catalyzed remarkable advancements in making daily sanitation and bathing practices safer and easy-to-use for countless patients globally.
Through an innovative system that cleverly merges single-use medical pulp with a hospital macerator, Vernacare attenuates the risk of infection through guarantees that every patient has a clean, disposable receptacle for toileting or bathing. Post-use, the medical pulp is effectively and hygienically disposed off in the macerator, curbing any chances of cross-contamination, thus ensuring the maintenance of a clean, safe, and sanitary environment in healthcare facilities. Vernacare provides a diverse range of medical pulp products, including male and female urinals, disposable washbowls, bedpans, and kidney bowls, all created from 100% recycled cellulose-based fibers, further applauding their commitment to sustainability as these products are completely biodegradable.
In addition to this, in January 2024, Vernacare cemented their credibility by acquiring the ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management Systems certification – a globally accepted yardstick that guarantees quality for medical devices. Vernacare’s Bolton facility spans over 55,000 sq. ft, optimally utilizing local talent where over 100 local professionals are dexterously involved in the production facility, the on-site testing process, and the maintenance tool room, where specialized skills are harnessed to handcraft the pulp molds in-house.
In its unwavering commitment to community support, Vernacare sources overissued newspaper and cardboard from a local Bolton supplier. Vernacare’s CEO, Alex Hodges, and Steve Morris, the operations manager at Bolton, proudly reminisce on the journey the company has made over the past 60 years, and express anticipation and excitement for the future.