Tailored for Change: Procuring Sustainable Workwear at Ghent University Hospital
Case study of Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
In 2018, UZ Gent decided to replace the workwear of more than 4,000 hospital employees in line with its broader institutional commitment to sustainability and patient-centred care. Recognising the importance of staff’s visibility and comfort, the hospital’s new clothing policy also aimed to improve patient-staff interactions through clear visual distinctions among different staff roles, while fostering a welcoming environment. As conventional polyester-cotton blends used in hospital workwear have an environmental impact on water use and energy consumption, UZ Gent sought alternatives that would minimise its ecological footprint. Furthermore, given concerns about workers’ conditions in the global garment industry, the hospital aimed to ensure its supply chains respected international labour rights.
Prior to launching the tender, UZ Gent undertook an internal needs assessment and preparation phase to ensure that the procurement aligned with both organisational goals and user requirements. It first reviewed its existing workwear situation and identified the limitations of the staff uniforms it had at the time. An internal consultation was conducted across hospital departments to gather input from medical and nursing staff, support services, the facility and logistics teams, procurement and sustainability officers. This consultation helped identify key functional and aesthetic needs, such as garment fit, thermal comfort, and the need for visual distinction between clinical and non-clinical roles among the staff. The hospital also conducted market research to assess available sustainable textile solutions. The findings from the internal and market assessments informed the development of technical and sustainability requirements for the tender documents. This ensured that the requirements were realistic, evidence-based, and aligned with both user needs as well as environmental and social priorities.
In 2020, Ghent University Hospital initiated an open tender procedure for a structured, five-phase competitive negotiation procedure for a framework agreement for the design and provision of new workwear. The process was designed to identify the most environmentally and socially responsible supply options, as well as ensure staff comfort and functionality.
