Bucks Hospitals have been forced to put in place “contingency arrangements” for waste removal, after it was revealed an NHS-contracted company has been stockpiling “dangerous” clinical waste and body parts.

A major health incident has been declared after Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) Ltd has allowed hundreds of tonnes of amputated limbs, infectious liquids and other hazardous materials to build up at its five waste handling sites.

It is believed the waste was stored securely, but was not being processed and disposed of quickly enough.

Up to 50 trusts have been alerted to the issue, and have established back-up plans for the disposal of waste material, which could see waste stored at hospitals.

Buckinghamshire NHS Trust (BHT) confirmed today it holds a contract with HES, and contingency arrangements have been put in place in case the company cannot continue to carry out the service.

A spokesman for BHT said: “As you will have seen from the media statement issued last night, our waste management company are having difficulties destructing NHS clinical waste at this time.

“We were made aware of this issue, and have put in place contingency arrangements in the event that the company are unable to continue with their contracted service.

“This is to enable us to protect patient services in the event of a disruption to waste collections.  

“At the current time they are continuing with their contracted service with us so these contingencies are not in use presently.”

According to national reports, the Environment Agency is taking enforcement action against the operator, which includes clearance of the excess waste, sparking fears the company could collapse.

HES has blamed the backlog on a reduction in the UK’s high-temperature incineration capacity due to ageing infrastructure and prolonged breakdowns.

In a statement issued yesterday, a HES spokesperson said: “Healthcare Environmental has highlighted the reduction in the UK’s high-temperature incineration capacity for the last few years.

“This is down to the ageing infrastructure, prolonged breakdowns and the reliance on zero waste to landfill policies, taking up the limited high-temperature incineration capacity in the market.

“Over the last year, this reduced incineration capacity has been evident across all of the industry and has affected all companies.”

The department of health and social care have assured there is no risk to the public and the situation is being monitored.