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.

SWITCH TO 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY AND GOOD ENERGY WILL GIVE US £50

Have you made the switch to 100% renewable electricity? Want to donate cash to support the Campaign for Greener Healthcare? We have teamed up with the lovely people at Good Energy so that not only can you feel good about buying genuine, home grown, 100% renewable electricity but you can support our work in the process. For every new customer that signs up we will get £50. In these difficult times this could make a BIG difference to the viability of our projects. To sign up click here or if you go direct do please mention CGH. Please could you also pass this on far and wide to friends, family and work colleagues. If 1000 of you sign up we will be able to employ a staff member including overheads for a whole year.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND MENTAL HEALTH LINKS - NEW REPORT FROM DH

The ‘New horizons Confident communities, brighter futures A framework for developing wellbeing’ document highlights the benefits of improving mental health and well-being to individuals, communities and society, and acknowledges that the concerns about the environment and sustainable development have generated further interest in well-being.

It outlines the importance of environmental resilience that includes adapting to the effects of climate change and adverse events (such as flooding, heat waves), and sustainable development that promotes a healthy environment to support the well-being of the population. Sustainable interventions that promote mental health and well being include insulating homes, healthy eating, active transport and access to green spaces.

To learn more about the report and download a copy click here

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY - 'THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING' STUDY DAY

Hope, empowerment, meaningful activity – the three pillars of the mental health Recovery Model are at the heart of occupational therapy practice.  On 22 April, participants at a Green Occupational Therapy study day held at the University of Brighton, explored how OTs might use these same tools to help us discover the art of sustainable living. Read more here.

CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND MEDSIN-UK

Over a weekend in April 15 enthusiastic students arrived in London having travelled from as far as Belgium and Belfast, eager to start an international Climate Change and Health programme with the British Council and Medsin-UK.

So how exactly are 15 students going to make an impact on climate change? It’s a good question that even we, with our youth and naivety, were struggling to answer. But then that’s the point of training! Mustafa Abbas of the campaign Healthy Planet, David Pencheon of the NHS SDU, and Frances Mortimer of CGH, had the challenge to empower and inspire us to return to our cities, and start our work to reduce the carbon footprint of our local health care authorities.

Read more here

CLINICAL EDUCATORS NEEDED!

Clinical educators are sought for world-leading, ground-breaking sustainable healthcare pilot teaching in 2010-11! Building on the 2009-10 pilots (outlined at www.greenerhealthcare.org/climate-change-medical-schools), the aim this year is to teach across clinical as well as public health modules.

"Sustainable Healthcare Education Teams" in each medical school will include a clinical educator, a public health educator and a medical student representative. We are looking for supportive clinicians, who are willing to explore sustainability issues with students in a clinical context. Please contact frances.mortimer@kintoa.org.

TOOLS & RESOURCES - 10:10 MENTAL HEALTH TRUST CHECKLIST

To give some ideas to mental health trusts signing up to 10:10 we have prepared a Mental Health Checklist. 

The full version is availalbe from our website here together wtih a slightly shorter pdf version that can be printed off as required.

CARBON ADDICT SERIES - PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS

In common with other addictions, Carbon Dependence is amenable to a number of psychological approaches. Cognitive behavioural therapists working with carbon addicts may wish to consider the following techniques:

- keeping a diary at significant periods (e.g. Christmas – traditionally a celebration of nvConsumption) to record thoughts and behaviours;
- graded exposure to vegetables;
- trying out new ways of behaving and reacting: putting on a jumper when cold.

Carbon dependence self-help groups are also springing up!  Examples can be found at www.carbonaddict.org/psychological-treatments

GOOD MONTH FOR ...

Green Occupational Therapy - after volcanic ash resulted in a last minute promotion for our Green OTs to keynote speakers at the College of OT mental health conference!

BAD MONTH FOR ...

Flying (is there ever a good month?!)

EVENTS

CleanMed 2010 Conference, 11th May, Baltimore, Maryland USA

eHealth: Revolutionising Healthcare, 12th May, Barbican, London

Integrating Health & Sustainability, 12th May, Worcester

Green Nephrology at BRS/RA Conference, 20th May, Manchester

CRC - Early Action Metrics, 25th May, Webinar

The HefmA Conference 2010, 26th May, Harrogate

World Environment Day, 5th June, Everywhere

10:10 MONTLY THEME - SHOPPING/PROCUREMENT

The potential for the NHS to become a low carbon consumer is both a fantastic opportunity and enormous challenge. The carbon footprint of the NHS shows that procurement accounts for some 60% of emissions – a real opportunity to make significant cuts. The difficulty comes in defining a low carbon service or product that comprehensively includes all of the supply chain. Plus to benefit from the buying power of the NHS and the economies of scale it requires the NHS to have a common approach.

Read more including links to various resources here