As we celebrate the sixth Allied Health Professions (AHP) Day on the 14 October 2023 with the theme in England of ‘The AHP Community and AHPs: Right place, at the right time, with the right skills’ it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the invaluable contributions of AHPs in shaping a greener and more sustainable NHS. At […]

In my first months as Acting Chief Sustainability Officer, one thing has become abundantly clear: our clinical staff are key in our efforts to reach our net zero goal. Climate change is not just an environmental challenge; it’s a health emergency that demands our urgent attention and concerted efforts. As the NHS takes bold strides […]

Promoting good respiratory care not only improves lung health outcomes for patients, but also reduces carbon emissions. That’s why NHS England has been working in partnership with Asthma + Lung UK to help patients improve their lung health and support the environment with the provision of new information on inhaler choices. By bettering inhaler technique […]

Since its introduction in 1846, anaesthesia has saved countless lives. It has enabled the safe and humanitarian delivery of procedures and operations that simply could not have happened otherwise. Today, anaesthetists provide general, regional and local anaesthesia, as well as lead preparation for and recovery from surgery. They provide support for women and babies around […]

“Every day brings new challenges, but today a global community for change brings new hope.” Meet Bethany. A midwife in Newcastle who supported the delivery of the first “climate-friendly” baby. Or Arun, an anaesthetist in London who piloted a project with co-worker Rachael that safely and quickly eliminated the use of harmful gas, desflurane. Or […]

Reduced emissions, cost savings, and better health and wellbeing. Improving energy efficiency in hospitals delivers value for the NHS and the communities it serves – in more ways than one. That’s why the £635 million Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which opened this month, is welcome news. You can find out more on the gov.uk website. […]

Last year, a young boy called Ismail wrote a letter to his doctors at the Great North Children’s Hospital. He thanked them for looking after him when he was sick, and thoughtfully offered some advice on things they could do to look after the planet. After all, he said, looking after the planet would help […]

New NHS electric vehicles are hitting the road this summer, helping to relieve pressure on ambulance services across the country while also helping the NHS cut its carbon footprint. Eight ambulance trusts are trialling 21 zero-emission vehicles of various types, with six of the new green vehicles dedicated to mental health response in the community […]

Today, we have launched a new call for innovations to both reduce carbon emissions and drive improvements in care for patients, in partnership with SBRI Healthcare. Air pollution in London led to more than 1,700 hospital admissions for asthma and serious lung conditions between 2017-2019.  More than 13 million deaths around the world each year are […]

For the very first time, every NHS Trust in England now has a green plan in place. That’s 212 NHS Trusts, covering more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare facilities. Together, these board-approved plans will save more than 1 million tonnes of carbon over the next three years. That’s the same as taking 520,000 cars off […]