March 2024
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined the way forward for achieving net zero emissions in the NHS by 2040, assessing progress so far, outstanding issues and next steps for developing environmentally sustainable healthcare.
As stakeholders work to develop effective strategies and the New Hospital Programme establishes a more standardised approach, it was an opportunity to discuss latest thinking around key issues for meeting targets, including building and facilities design, low-carbon technologies, back-up power, local grid capacity, air-flow and heating.
Delegates discussed approaches to establishing net zero benchmarks, looking at increasing the availability of data to build the evidence base, support monitoring and strategies moving forward.
They also considered examples of best practice in assessing cost-effectiveness whilst maintaining patient safety and care quality, and implications for development of policy and guidance on benchmarks and how decarbonisation targets are met.
Discussion examined the work of integrated care systems in implementing their green plans, including lessons and best practice around collaboration - and the way forward for progressing strategic, local approaches to sustainable healthcare.
We expected discussion on innovation in key areas for energy use reduction, including in ventilation to maintain indoor air quality with minimal energy consumption, and in sustainable heating and cooling in healthcare facilities.
Further sessions explored best practice sustainable clinical care procedures, and priorities for waste reduction, including in areas such as single use plastic, and waste management in the NHS following the NHS clinical waste strategy.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Lord Markham, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Health & Social Care (pre-recorded contribution); Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England; Dr Hayley Pinto, Education and Training Lead, The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare; Sam Willitts, Head of Sustainability, Integrated Care System, North Bristol NHS Trust; Simon Barry, Lead, National Respiratory Health Implementation Group Wales; and Clive Nattrass, Programme Manager, NHPower.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- The net zero benchmark: examining steps being taken to deliver sustainability and net zero targets across the NHS estates - assessing priorities and approaches going forward
- Integrated care boards: exploring how net zero targets can be reached at ICB level - examples of successes
- Waste reduction: next steps for incorporating sustainability through the New Hospital Programme - with eco-friendly designs - energy-efficient tech - sustainable materials
- Cost-effectiveness and patient safety: ways to balance cost-effectiveness with maintaining patient safety and quality of care
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from the CCS; CQC; DBT; Defra; DESNZ; DHSC; HSE; Isle of Man Government; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
