Welsh NHS initiatives driving improvements in environmental sustainability
NHS organisations across Wales are driving improvements in sustainability to reduce their environmental impact, while improving patient outcomes, staff wellbeing and delivering financial efficiencies.
This Wales Climate Week, which corresponds with COP29, the Welsh NHS Confederation has published case studies from each NHS organisation in Wales showcasing sustainability best practice.
Sustainability is critical for future proofing the NHS. In recent years, the health impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss have emerged as a global public health concern.
Given its large carbon footprint, the NHS has the opportunity to play a critical role in reducing carbon impact and supporting the sustainable use of finite resources across Wales. As an example, the NHS produces up to 600,000 tonnes of waste each year, with around 85 per cent of this waste categorised as non-hazardous. Although much of this waste is recyclable, a substantial amount is still incinerated or sent to landfills.
In line with the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2016, health boards, NHS trusts and special health authorities, are taking action to implement initiatives around their environmental impact.
One such area includes initiatives to support responsible consumption and reduce waste. At Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, the successful Gloves R Off campaign has encouraged a reduction in the amount of non-sterile gloves used across healthcare sites in Gwent. Elsewhere, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s ‘Green ICU team’ have implemented a raft of changes at University Hospital Wales’ Adult Critical Care Unit, resulting in 2 tonnes of plastic waste reduction annually. These waste-saving efforts have the positive by-product of driving financial efficiencies for NHS organisations.
In Swansea Bay University Health Board and Velindre University NHS Trust, litter-picking and beekeeping initiatives are having a dual impact – the former on patient outcomes and the environment, the latter on staff wellbeing and the environment.
As an anchor institution that effects the lives of everyone in Wales, the NHS is working hard to put sustainability at the heart of its work, to ensure resilience and make it fit for future generations.
Case studies in briefing
1. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board – Gloves R Off campaign aims to revert to pre-pandemic levels of non-sterile glove usage in the health board
2. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – Volunteers help improve Wrexham Maelor Hospital green spaces, benefitting staff and patients
3. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board – Award-winning Green ICU team reduce annual plastic waste by 2 tonnes, saving thousands of pounds in the process
4. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board – Partnership with local social enterprise to repurpose cardboard waste reduces health board’s carbon footprint by 502.02kgCOe annually, while creating jobs
5. Digital Health and Care Wales – Digitising records and estates rationalisation project lowers carbon footprint
6. Health Education and Improvement Wales – Climate Smart Community platform provides resources to staff and enables climate smart discussions
7. Hywel Dda University Health Board – Thousands of plastic vaccine vial lids saved from landfill for arts and health work
8. Powys Teaching Health Board – Estates project to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 350 tonnes annually, saving circa £415,000 every year
9. Public Health Wales NHS Trust – Strategy led by Primary Care Division helps decrease total carbon footprint of inhalers issued in Wales by 30% since 2022
10. Swansea Bay University Health Board – Litter-picking project benefits mental health patients and local environment
11. Velindre University NHS Trust – Introduction of beehives and staff beekeeping training protects biodiversity while improving employee wellbeing
12. Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust – Only ambulance service in the UK to hold internationally recognised environmental accreditation
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We are the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The members we represent employ 1.5 million staff, care for more than 1 million patients a day and control £150 billion of public expenditure. We promote collaboration and partnership working as the key to improving population health, delivering high-quality care and reducing health inequalities.
