GREEN ICT
It pays to be green
The merits of adopting green practices are self-evident. The battle lies not in convincing trusts to become more environmentally friendly but in actually mapping out how they are going to do it. National Health Executive spoke to the Campaign for Greener Healthcare medical director, Frances Mortimer, to find out more
T 64 nhe
he NHS delivers an essential service but is also a major polluter. A balance must be struck to allow the health
service the capacity to deal with the challenges which are thrown at it whilst minimising the impact it has on the environment through unsustainable practices.
This means those in charge of implementing sustainable practices engaging with front line staff and clinicians at every level to maximise the progress which can be made, whilst not damaging services to patients.
One way which has proved popular and
embraces modern technology is the more thorough use of ICT to deliver care in our communities. This makes care more convenient for patients whilst reducing both their need to travel and carbon emissions.
Much of the work of the Campaign for Greener Healthcare involves clinical service design and engaging clinicians around the subject of sustainability in the NHS through programmes like the Green Speciality Project.
“The most advanced example is in renal care, where we are working with a whole range of stakeholders in kidney care,” says medical director Frances Mortimer.
“This has involved measuring the current carbon footprint of the service and then working out ways to redesign care.”
One solution identified is a telephone clinic which is provided for renal transplant patients at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire.
“The clinic was primarily set up to reduce the inconvenience to patients of frequent trips to hospital. Patients are offered the choice to remain in the traditional follow up system or switch to quarterly telephone clinic follow up, with just one annual traditional (‘face-
Jul/Aug 10
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