Climate change is a major threat to both our health and the planet. Its impact is accelerating, with immediate consequences for patients, the public, and the NHS. In October 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health service to commit to reaching carbon net zero by publishing the Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service strategy.
Aligned with this, we developed the South East London ICS Green Plan 2022-2025 as a system-wide strategy to improve sustainability in health and care in south east London (SEL) and contribute to climate change mitigation. It aligns with the Green Plans of the five SEL NHS Trusts and the ICS Primary Care Green Plan. The plan focuses on 11 key areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving care quality and social value.
Medicines and sustainability
Medicines account for 25% of the NHS’s greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce these emissions, we need to:
- Decarbonise medicine production.
- Reduce the carbon footprint of medicine use.
- Optimise prescribing and stock-keeping in hospitals and at home.
- Improve medicine disposal.
Patient-centred prescribing can improve health outcomes, reducing the emissions linked to poor care, such as emergency admissions and complications.
Commitment
We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of medicines through:
- Optimising prescribing.
- Using low-carbon alternatives.
- Ensuring appropriate disposal.
The Green Plan for medicines includes four key aims:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from anaesthetic gas use.
- Reduce medicine waste.
- Reduce emissions from inhaler use.
- Improve disposal of medicines and inhalers.
Sustainability is a key priority in the SEL ICS Transforming and Integrating Medicines Optimisation Plan.
London Greener NHS Week 2024
From 13th to 17th May 2024, London Greener NHS Week hosted sessions for healthcare staff to learn about sustainability in the NHS. Speakers from South East London showcased projects such as:
- Inhaler recycling.
- Greener inhaler prescribing in primary and secondary care.
- Reducing nitrous oxide waste at King’s College Hospital, saving £25,000 annually.
Access to sustainable healthcare courses
Healthcare staff can enhance their sustainability knowledge through Centre for Sustainable Healthcare short courses. For more information or to register, email netzero@selondonics.nhs.uk.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with anaesthetic gas use
Reducing waste and adopting greener alternatives to lower emissions, cut costs and improve patient care.
Reducing medicine waste
Minimising medicine waste to cut costs, lower emissions and improve care quality.
Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with inhaler use
Optimising inhaler use to reduce emissions, improve patient outcomes and promote sustainable respiratory care.
Reducing the environmental impact of medicine and inhaler disposal
Promoting responsible disposal to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable healthcare practices.
