Welcome to 'Green Rabbits' the monthly newsletter from the Campaign for Greener Healthcare for an update on sustainable healthcare news, events, resources and our projects. The primary source of information about the Campaign, including an archive of these newsletters, is our website at www.greenerhealthcare.org.
AGE OF STUPID LICENCE NOW LIVE - HOW TO BOOK A SCREENING
On 7th July a live webcast event launched the NHS blanket licence to view the new climate change film, The Age of Stupid. If you are a member of staff or a student in the NHS or Department of Health you can book a screening of this powerful new film.
- Go to www.indiescreenings.net/choose_film/
- Enter the NHS voucher code that relates to your email address: .nhs.net = 'NHS12484' or .nhs.uk = 'NHS21182'
- Enter your NHS email address and the postal address of your NHS funded premises
- No licence fee to pay, just £6.00 admin fee for dispatch of DVD
- Hold screening & return DVD afterwards
TIME TO MAKE WAVES ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
The Campaign for Greener Healthcare has just joined the STOP CLIMATE CHAOS COALITION. In the run up to the global emissions treaty talks in Copenhagen in December, their main event is THE WAVE; the UK’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change. The flood waters are rising - it is time to make waves! The medical profession should be there in force - book the date in your diary and spread the word: 5th December 2009 London. Let's not wave goodbye to the future.
GREENER HEALTHCARE CYCLE TEAM - JOIN US!
Given our passion for cycling, the Campaign for Greener Healthcare is entering a team into the Brompton World Championships. The race comprises two laps of a circuit around Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire on Sunday 4th October. We are just planning our team outfit; fair trade surgical scrubs or white/green coats ...hmm. After the race we will have a picnic. If you have a Brompton bicycle and would like to join our team please get in touch: tim.nicholson@kintoa.org. The deadline for registration is 20th September although spaces are limited - to enter click here.
TOOLS & RESOURCES - STAFF SURVEY ON CLIMATE CHANGE
NHS Bristol Climate Change and Sustainability Steering Group conducted a survey in order to find out staff views on climate change. The aim was to inform the PCT’s work on climate change and sustainability. Not only did they get an impressive 78% response rate at the PCT but a whopping 94% of respondents said they were very or fairly concerned about climate change. Have you thought of carrying out a survey at your work-place? You can use the Bristol survey as a basis if you like. For more details www.greenerhealthcare.org/blog/2009/07/staff-survey-starting-point-clima....
CARBON ADDICT SERIES: RESPIRATORY COMPLICATIONS
Carbon addicts are often to be found in asthma clinics, where a focus on inhaler technique or steroid dose can divert attention from the role of their carbon habit in “fuelling” the problem. Even as doctor and patient are poring over test results, pollution from the hospital car park may be creeping through the window, undoing their good work. In fact, when traffic was reduced by 20% for the Atlanta Olympics, there was an immediate 11-44% reduction in healthcare visits for asthma attacks. After the Olympics, traffic and asthma levels returned to normal.
www.carbonaddict.org/early-complications
GOOD MONTH FOR ...
Ed Miliband following the launch of his Low Carbon Transition Plan - although it has been widely criticised for not being ambitious enough; for comments click here.
Occupational therapy with the publication of a piece on 'Greening OT' in July's OT News (p37). Several OT's have already been in touch to set up a green network - more information from tamara.rayment@greenerhealthcare.org.
BAD MONTH FOR ...
Southern Europe as temperatures hit record levels causing forest fires, mass hospitalisation and deaths. For more details click here.
EVENTS
None this month but get ready for a huge new climate change campaign launching on 1st September. Full details in the September issue.