Sustainability
The programme Successful cohorts complete an eight-session programme, which starts with a reflection on the legacy of an inspirational role model, Florence Nightingale – one of many ultimate pioneer and nurse leaders. The programme initially focuses on building self-awareness and emotional intelligence. “This is your superpower; if you know yourself, you can lead others. We start to empower individuals by encouraging them to look within and recognise their strengths and also work on their blind spots,” Lucy explained.
On the second session, the nurses learn about quality improvement and how they can take their idea forward – how they can frame it, measure it, and make sure it has an impact. “It is about how they can lead that change and embed it across multiple practice areas,” she commented. Participants then go on to attend the Royal
Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA Business) – which Lucy described as “a life-changing experience” for those taking part. “It is about building confidence, having
clarity in delivering key messages to a range of audiences, and ‘bringing people along with you’. It is transformational,” she exclaimed. She revealed that participants also spend time with the King’s Fund, looking at how they can have greater influence and authority, including presenting to the board and building a business case to obtain funding and resources. This is in addition to time spent with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, which provides useful information on the climate change agenda, how to measure carbon emissions and sustainable healthcare methodologies. “You can see the spark in their eyes when they
recognise that their projects could be replicated and scaled up at pace. Small, incremental changes can have such an impact on our carbon emissions which is very exciting,” Lucy
We have to tackle climate change with the same vigour and gusto that we show around patient safety. Crucially, I think there is hope. By acting now, we can really make a difference Charlotte McCardle, the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England
continued. “At the last check-in, this group of 18 nurses had successfully saved over 6,821 tonnes of carbon. There are approximately 20 million nurses globally, imagine what could be achieved collectively; we could change the trajectory of our planet.” Jonny Groom, Paediatric Anaesthetic Consultant, at the Royal London Children’s Hospital and Associate Medical Lead for Sustainability at Nuffield Health, has been supporting the programme, drawing on his seven years’ experience in sustainable healthcare.
“It has been an incredible project to be
involved with,” he commented. “People have come with a great deal of enthusiasm and lots of big ideas. With the help of this incredible programme, these ideas have been honed into
Nurse-led improvement projects A total of 18 nurses have now completed the challenge of implementing nurse-led quality improvement projects to support environmental sustainability at their workplaces. The nurses presented their projects at the celebration event, held on 10 May, at the offices of the Florence Nightingale Foundation. Nurse Practitioner, Sarah Hucker, one of the programme participants, spoke to CSJ about how the initiative has inspired her, and has led to quantifiable reductions in carbon emissions. “At the start, we all had big ideas on how we
could change the world. But what I learnt was that it is important to focus on a single change that you can realistically achieve. A small change can be much more impactful,” she commented. Sarah decided to focus on a project aimed at
Lucy Brown, from the FNF, believes in empowering nurses to lead change.
encouraging staff to prescribe greener inhalers. Few people are aware that the carbon footprint of a single Ventolin Evohaler is equivalent to driving 175 miles in a family car. In comparison,
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effective improvement programmes. “Not only is their enthusiasm spreading, but action is spreading much further afield. It is increasing education within our own organisation, but also impacting outside of healthcare settings. For example, the manufacturers that produce the surgical packs are starting to change the make-up of those packs and readdress their packaging needs. The projects are having a much wider impact, beyond what was initially anticipated. It has been an incredible journey to watch our nurse leaders go through this programme.”
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