Friday 12 Apr | 13:15-14:30

Format: Presentation
Stream: Science
Content filters: Features discussion of global climate emergency

Nana Twum-Danso Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), USA (Chair)

PART 1: How quality improvement can help deliver a net zero national health service

In England, the National Health Service (NHS) contributes 4% to the national carbon footprint, exceeding the annual carbon dioxide emissions from all aircraft departing Heathrow airport. Reducing emissions in the NHS is a complex challenge requiring collective action. This session will equip you with knowledge about East London NHS Foundation Trust’s sustainability approach, giving you practical strategies and lessons learned that can be applied to your own settings. We will present our theory of change and measurement plan, using two case studies from local initiatives that align with our organisational green plan. We will also address challenges and offer practical and applicable recommendations for tackling environmental issues.

As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

• Apply practical strategies to reduce their organisational carbon footprint


• Understand how to develop an environmental sustainability measurement plan


• Address practical challenges that arise from undertaking sustainability work


• Apply a QI lens to solve environmental sustainability problems

Sarah McAllister East London NHS Foundation Trust, England

Sian Hodgkinson East London NHS Foundation Trust, England

 

PART 2: Understanding the importance of including environmental sustainability elements within quality improvement initiatives

This session will share the current evidence in support of a move to the inclusion of environmental sustainability elements into healthcare quality improvement approaches as an opportunity to engage staff with impact across the sector. There are currently outstanding examples of changing practices and processes in healthcare using well-established quality improvement methods and equally impactful environmental initiatives to remove waste and conserve natural resources. But the two teams of experts as yet do not share the same agenda or benefit from a common approach. The reasons and rationale for this separation within a healthcare setting will be explored.

As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

• Recognise the impact of the delivery of healthcare on the environment and the impact of climate change on human health


• Understand the different ways that waste is being identified and removed from healthcare environments whilst moving to a more circular and environmentally sensitive economy.


• Question the unnecessary separation of quality improvement and sustainability expertise within healthcare portfolios

Elaine Mead Improvement Care and Compassion, Scotland