A criminal investigation has been launched after body parts were among hundreds of tonnes of medical waste allegedly being stockpiled by a Scottish disposal firm.

Shotts-based Healthcare Environment Services (HES) is accused of making numerous breaches of its permits in sites across the UK which deal with clinical waste.

Amputated limbs and pharmaceutical waste were among the items piled up, according to the Health Service Journal (HSJ).

The UK Environment Agency (EA) said the incinerator company, owned by Scottish businessman Garry Pettigrew, was in breach of permits.

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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring two sites, in Shotts and Dundee, where enforcement notices have been issued.

A spokesperson said: “SEPA is aware of developments in England and is working closely with the Environment Agency.

“SEPA is clear that compliance is non-negotiable and has been robustly monitoring sites in Scotland.

“On September 12, SEPA issued enforcement notices to Healthcare Environmental Services regarding sites in Dundee and Shotts, with officers conducting ongoing monitoring.”

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HES removes waste from a number of hospitals in Scotland and England.

It has been hit with 13 warning notices and two compliance notices in the last year after not disposing of waste quickly enough.

A meeting of the UK Government’s emergency committee Cobra was chaired by Matt Hancock last month over the issue, the HSJ reported.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said there was “absolutely no risk” to public health.

An 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.

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“Healthcare Environmental has been in discussion with the environmental regulators and has consistently highlighted these issues, whilst we have maintained service to all our clients.

“There has been no disruption to our customers’ services whilst we have been dealing with this issue.

“We are working closely with our various disposal sites, including utilising our own £13m new waste to energy facility to reduce the volume on site, whilst maintaining services.

“All waste is contained and processed within licensed facilities in full cooperation with the relevant authorities.

“We remain dedicated to dealing with this national issue that affects all waste management companies and facilities within the UK.

“HES is dedicated to resolving this issue, as and when incineration capacity becomes available. In the interim, all our facilities are operating normally whilst we work with our various partners across the UK.”