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.
LAUNCHED! SUSTAINABLE ACTION PLANNING FOR CLINICAL TEAMS
SAP is a new programme to support clinical teams in taking action for sustainability. Structured around two facilitated workshops, SAP helps front-line staff to learn about sustainable healthcare, focus in on their priorities and put together a green action plan. The programme was piloted in Cornwall, where the RCHT kidney unit saved an estimated 33 tonnes CO2 (as well as £32,000) in one year. All the SAP resources can be accessed free online, please try them out and send us your feedback - and your case studies! Visit SAP here.
RENAL CONFERENCE: GREEN NEPHROLOGY FLOURISHING IN LEAN TIMES
The quest for financial savings was a recurring theme at the British Renal Society / Renal Association annual conference last month, and the Green Nephrology programme had plenty to offer. At a private reception (hosted by NHS Kidney Care), local champions presented projects that are saving resources and improving care - from paper reduction to virtual referrals. Dr Donal O’Donoghue, National Clinical Director for Kidney Services, said, "The work over the past year has caught the imagination of the whole kidney community and has launched a social movement to provide better, greener and leaner kidney care. Green Nephrology is leading the way.”
Read more here.
CGH ANNUAL REVIEW 2009
We have had a fantastic year working towards the goal of preparing healthcare for a lower carbon future. Through our excellent network of contacts both within and outside the NHS we have engaged with a huge number of partners and individuals and are working together on some truly inspiring projects.
To see the document in full click here
SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE GP REGISTRAR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
The Severn Deanery School of Primary Care has launched a ground breaking programme in Sustainable Healthcare for GP registrars. Read more here
TOOLS & RESOURCES - 10:10 GP CHECKLIST
We have expanded our list of 10:10 resources with the adition of a GP checklist. We now have 10:10 checklists for Trusts, Mental Health Trusts, Wards, Renal Units, Individuals Health Professionals plus this new one.
We are very grateful to medical student Philippa Jeacocke for her help in compiling this checklist.
You can see this new GP checklist here
CARBON ADDICT SERIES - SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS: HOUSING
Almost all carbon addict groups will benefit from housing interventions. Particular gains are seen in those on low incomes, or suffering from cardiovascular or respiratory co-morbidities. In future, we anticipate a home insulation “step” in the stepwise treatment of asthma, while the impressive blood pressure results in one Glasgow study have led to calls for an “I for insulation” in the NICE alphabetical guidelines on hypertension. Although some clinicians have chosen to train in cavity wall insulation and roof lagging, others may prefer to refer to specialist services such as Warm Front, or a local branch of the Energy Saving Trust.
www.carbonaddict.org/social-interventions-housing
GOOD MONTH FOR ...
Department of Health signing up to 10:10 (along with all the other Government Departments), more here
BAD MONTH FOR ...
Deep off-shore drilling
EVENTS
Climate Defence is not an offence, 3rd June, London
World Environment Day, 5th June, Everywhere
Act Travelwise Annual Conference, 8th June, London
Greening the Public Sector - Green to be Lean, 9th June, London
Why Aren’t We Saving the Planet? by Professor Geoff Beattie (Book Launch), 9th June, London
Combined Heat & Power: Cutting NHS energy bills, 18th June, London
Bike Week, 19th - 27th June, Everywhere
Greener Healthcare at RCN Joint Reps Conference, 26th June, Leeds
Carbon Reduction 2010: Delivering a Low Carbon Future, 29th June, London
10:10 MONTHLY THEME - SAVING ENERGY
Saving energy in the form of electricity, gas and oil is at the heart of the 10:10 commitment and can result in significant financial savings. Read Tim's blog here
JOBS
Internship at the Climate & Health Council.
Do you feel passionately about climate change? Do you want to help make a difference to the environment and health around the world? The successful candidate will work in London, assisting with the day to day activity of the Council, and helping to increase their influence and to establish other within-country climate and health councils. Experience with information technology, and campaigning/advertising is desirable. The internship will run for about 6 months and is unpaid, but an allowance will be provided. (The above dates are not set in stone.)
Please contact Josephine Hayes jhayes@bmj.com for more details.