healthcare

 The Lancet called climate change “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century”. 

If your business is health, there is a moral duty to act on health threats and manage long-term risk to the health service.

Why all health professionals should be carbon literate and practise sustainably

We cover 

• Climate change and General Practice including resilience to weather related events
• Presentations on the carbon footprint of healthcare
• Carbon Footprint calculations 
• Waste audits and waste management strategies
• Energy audits and energy management strategies
• Plastic audits and single use plastic management strategies
• Implementing the Green Impact for Health Scheme

There are many ways healthcare can be proactive leaders to help influence patients and the wider community

A 2018 report showed the NHS was responsible for 5% of road traffic in England. 

44,000 people die annually from the effects of air pollution in the UK  

The Kings Fund calculate 17% of NHS carbon emissions are linked to staff and patient travel. 

What can we do ?

We can help improve staff and patient travel patterns. For example;  How many staff and patients walk or cycle? Is the infrastructure in place to encourage this?

A travel audit can measure travel to and from primary healthcare which is the first step to understanding and then changing behaviour. 

Healthcare can reduce the burden of disease through educating patients and public about the health benefits of a locally sourced, seasonal diet. 

What can we do?

We can help staff and patients aim for a diet high in fruit and vegetables with less red meat and (ideally zero) processed foods.

Reducing your practice on-costs by reducing energy consumption, reducing waste generation and recycling what is wasted more effectively and making business processes more efficient and leaner. 

What can we do ?

We can help show how the practice can use its buying power responsibly and change to a 100% carbon free tariff. 

Energy security issues are likely to become increasingly important for health care providers 

The largest part of the NHS carbon footprint is from the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. 

The carbon footprint of  one MDI inhaler contributes the equivalent of 29 kg of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. There are 73 million prescriptions for inhalers in the UK annually. 

A large percentage of community prescribed medicines end up in land fill

What can we do?

We can help show practice  specific data on carbon footprint of the inhalers and medication prescribed. From this, we can show how to plan targeted carbon reductions while improving patient asthma care.

Prescribing waste can be addressed through reviewing non pharmaceutical therapies and interventions and social prescribing.

Improve resilience for patients and services who are vulnerable to changing weather patterns and seasons. The UK is expected to have drier summers and more droughts and wetter winters with more flooding.

Organisations will need to assess the potential local impacts, and take measures to ensure that facilities, supply chains, infrastructure and workforce are resilient to environmental change. 

What can we do?

We can help assess your risk and show mitigation factors which can be put in place

For an introductory discussion, either email at matt@seesustainability.co.uk or call 07503163710