Clinical engineering
technologically advanced and sustainable healthcare system, it is essential for hospitals and NHS Trusts to integrate engineering seamlessly into their standard practices.
4. Industry engagement and accountability through sustainability measurements, supporting robust emission measurement and compliance monitoring. To tackle the largest contributor to healthcare’s greenhouse gas footprint, its supply chain, industry partners and suppliers must work with healthcare providers and the government to help achieve targets relating to supply chain emissions, using realistic and robust measures.
5. Development of a coherent government strategy linking the environmental crisis to patient care that includes plans to address climate change related impacts on health. To encourage the transition to a more sustainable health service and achieve relevant targets, increased public support and a broader understanding of the interconnectedness of climate change and health are required.
Ultimately, the IMechE is calling on healthcare providers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to prioritise collaboration and innovation in pursuit of Net Zero healthcare. As Addie MacGregor, from the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), points out: “The transition to Net Zero requires a multi-
Adapting hospitals to heat
It is estimated that 90% of the UK’s NHS hospital buildings are vulnerable to overheating, even during moderately warm summers. As the incidence and intensity of heatwaves increases in the UK, the potential for impact on healthcare delivery is substantial. This was showcased during the 2022 summer heatwave, when one-fifth of UK hospitals cancelled operations, with unsafe theatre environments a key factor behind this.
Overheating is considered in the Net Zero Building Standard, and the Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) pledges to support NHS Trusts in incorporating climate change adaption within their Green Plans by 2027. Engineers will be vital for ensuring that the design and construction of new and retrofitted hospitals consider how to incorporate passive and sustainable cooling systems alongside Net Zero features.
To download the full report, scan the QR code:
https://www.imeche.org/docs/ default-source/1-oscar/reports- policy-statements-and-documents/
transforming_healthcare_2024_report_ digital-dpg.pdf?sfvrsn=4f694611_0
stakeholder approach, and nowhere is this more evident than in healthcare. Engineers have a huge role to play here, not only in designing and implementing sustainable healthcare solutions but also in fostering collaboration across disciplines and industries to ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for all.”
SCAN ME
CSJ
ABHI unveils ambitious HealthTech Plan for UK
The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) has unveiled its manifesto, The Plan for HealthTech, which articulates a clear and actionable 10-point programme for government. This strategic blueprint is designed to harness the full potential of the sector to benefit patients, clinicians, and the UK economy. Key recommendations focus on regulatory alignment, fostering innovation in healthcare practices, and ensuring long term investment in what is a sector that now employs 154,000 people across 4,465 companies in the UK. The UK has the opportunity to become a world leader in the evaluation, development and deployment of HealthTech, but we must do things differently to ensure it is our patients, clinicians and economy that benefit. ABHI’s Chief Executive, Peter Ellingworth,
said: “Developed through months of stakeholder engagement, the Plan for HealthTech outlines the essential steps to make the UK a HealthTech global leader. It
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focuses on the crucial areas of regulation, innovation, and investment, which taken together, are key to a world-class ecosystem. This manifesto is a collective vision, and is designed not just for ABHI’s membership, but rather, the entire industry, the health service and the patients we collectively serve.” The Chief Executive of National Voices, Jacob Lant, added: "The Plan for HealthTech provides solutions to common challenges for each part of the sector and sets a course that will allow the UK to harness the power of innovation to revolutionise healthcare, ensuring that every individual receives the quality care they deserve.” The plan calls for the establishment of a world-leading regulatory system that fosters innovation and patient safety, the professionalisation of innovation and adoption processes within the NHS, and a long-term investment strategy to support sector growth. The manifesto emphasises the need for enhanced collaboration with NHS England
and other healthcare providers to streamline technology adoption, and calls for improved NHS procurement processes, alongside increased support for UK-based manufacturing and R&D. It also advocates for expanded digital infrastructure to enhance early diagnosis and patient care, with a proposal for a comprehensive export strategy to boost the global reach of UK HealthTech companies. Rachel Power, Chief Executive of The
Patient’s Association added: “Many patients rely on and welcome the innovative products ABHI members offer, so we welcome the ABHI’s commitment in the Plan for HealthTech to partnership in the design and delivery of products and services. A patient-centric approach to healthcare offers real benefits to patients in the form of personalised holistic care that enhances lives and fosters well- being.” The Plan for HealthTech: ABHI’s Manifesto can be accessed at:
https://www.abhi.org.uk/ media/sttdn1et/the-plan-for-healthtech.pdf
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