How Do You Securely Dispose of 2,000+ Devices Containing Patient Data?
When a leading NHS Trust in the North West of England faced the challenge of retiring over 2,147 end-of-life PCs, laptops, and tablets, they needed more than just a recycling service. They needed absolute certainty that every byte of patient data would be irreversibly destroyed, with full compliance documentation for their Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) submission.
The Challenge
- 2,147 devices across 12 hospital sites and community clinics
- Sensitive patient data requiring certified destruction to NHS Digital standards
- DSPT compliance demanding a complete audit trail with individual asset tracking
- 3-week deadline before new equipment arrived
- Budget constraints requiring a cost-neutral solution
Previous disposal attempts through local providers had resulted in incomplete documentation and delays. The Trust needed a partner who could handle the full scope professionally.
Our Solution
Innovent Recycling designed a bespoke disposal programme tailored to NHS requirements:
Secure Collection: GPS-tracked vehicles collected equipment from all 12 sites on a pre-agreed schedule. Every device was logged with a unique asset tag, with chain-of-custody documentation at each location.
ISO 27001 Data Destruction: All drives underwent certified data destruction at our secure facility. Devices were wiped to NIST 800-88 Purge standard, with physical shredding for drives that could not be wiped. Every event was logged with serial numbers, timestamps, and destruction method.
Individual Certificates: Each device received an individual certificate of data destruction, cross-referenced to the Trust’s asset register for DSPT compliance.
Responsible Recycling: All equipment was processed under our T11 exemption and Waste Carrier Licence with a strict zero-landfill policy.
The Results
“Innovent made the entire process seamless. The individual certificates gave us exactly what we needed for our DSPT submission, and the fact that everything was completed in three weeks was remarkable given the scale.”
— IT Director, NHS Trust
Key Takeaways
- NHS organisations need granular, per-device destruction certificates for DSPT compliance
- Multi-site collections require careful logistics planning and chain-of-custody documentation
- Cost-neutral disposal is achievable when working with a provider who recovers residual value
- ISO 27001 certification provides the assurance NHS data governance teams require
Ready to Discuss Your IT Disposal Project?
Whether you are managing a small office refresh or a large-scale decommission, Innovent Recycling provides the same level of security, compliance, and professionalism.
