Sustainability
some push back, initially, but we explained why we were doing this from a sustainability point of view; no one could find any reasons why using blue roll was useful…We helped people realise that this was about the future of healthcare and our planet, and not just a cost cutting exercise.” The project helped to prompt wider
interest in improving sustainability and, in February, Rachael initiated the first meeting of the Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital Sustainability Forum. Around 30 people from different hospital teams attended and they came with different sustainability ideas for their own areas. This has led to the removal of paper cups and the small plastic milk containers from the coffee machines at the hospital. The hospital is now using re-usable crockery and a jug of milk which reduces plastic waste. Gemma Stacey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
at the Florence Nightingale Foundation, said: “Rachael a deserves the opportunity to become a Florence Nightingale Foundation scholar. All the nurses completing the programme have achieved so much with their projects and there will be a potential ripple effect across the nursing profession. In a short space of time, her project has made a real difference at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital, both in reducing waste but also embedding a sustainable healthcare culture among the wider hospital team.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Rachael’s
progress as she develops as a scholar, following an in-depth personal development plan to enhance her leadership skills. We know that the greatest impact the Florence Nightingale Foundation can have on sustainability is through our alumni and membership community being empowered to lead disruptive change and influence others.” Ben Davies, Organisational Development Director at Nuffield Health, added: “Rachael’s
working within, but across Nuffield Health’s 37 hospitals, and looking further still,” Jonny commented. “We are seeking to share this learning, not just within the Independent sector, but across the whole healthcare system and on a global scale. It starts from the coal face.” Commenting on the upscaling of the
Greta Westwood, CEO of FNF
project and work throughout the programme shows that nurses have a key part to play in cultivating clinical excellence through sustainable service improvements. “We cannot deliver the change we need without our health professionals leading the charge, wholeheartedly committing to collaboration. That’s why we launched the Green Healthcare Leadership Programme. Rachael’s work aligns with Nuffield Health’s ambition to become a sustainable healthcare leader in the UK, reaching carbon Net Zero by 2040 with a shorter-term goal of carbon Net Zero in our own operations by 2030.” Other projects, presented at the celebration
event, focused on reducing road miles, by moving to virtual appointments – so patients no longer need to travel into hospital, unless it is necessary; reducing letters; making greener choices around wound dressing packs; and recycling PVC from oxygen therapy – plus many more.
The ‘ripple effect’ “We are focused on upscaling these individual projects, not just within the setting they are
projects and the impact of the programme, Professor Greta Westwood CBE, the Chief Executive at the Florence Nightingale Foundation, said: “Healthcare organisations will hear what their neighbours are doing and want to get on board. The initiative at Nuffield Health and other independents has widened the network already. With the individuals from the programme working within their organisations, the momentum is gathering speed. “Following this example, we expect the NHS will develop their own nurse leadership programme for sustainability. Organisations will want to keep up with their neighbours, so the influence will ultimately multiply. “The individuals on this programme will join our network of alumni and will connect with others who have an interest in sustainable health. They can join forces and develop green networks – to learn from each other and disseminate their ideas. This programme will have a massive ripple effect.” Speaking at the celebration event, Caroline
Smith, Chief Operating Officer – Quality & Operations, at Nuffield Health, emphasised that she was passionate about supporting nurses to “develop their skills, their confidence and their leadership potential”. “The nurses on this programme have been
challenging their peers to change practice in a variety of ways – including reducing the number of supplies, reusing equipment, reducing waste, and through recycling. But this is only the beginning,” Caroline commented. “I’m proud that this programme goes further
than any other, drawing on the expertise of our nurses to tackle the single most pressing challenge facing us as a sector – climate change. The World Health Organization says this is the biggest healthcare threat facing humanity. It is expected to cause a quarter of a million deaths between 2030 and 2050,” Caroline continued. She emphasised that this isn’t “a problem for
Ben Davies, from Nuffield Health, highlighted the organisation’s Net Zero ambitions. 28
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I August 2023
tomorrow”; the health impacts of air pollution and the outcomes of adverse weather events are being experienced right now. “We need to change the way we deliver healthcare and ensure we reach those Net Zero targets, and – in so doing – give humanity a fighting chance of curbing the worst impacts of climate change,” she concluded.
CSJ
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