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. | |
RECRUITING! GREEN NEPHROLOGY FELLOWSHIP 2010-11 | |
 | The Green Nephrology programme is looking for an enthusiastic health professional with experience in kidney care. After a brilliant first year, the programme is seeking to build the national Green Nephrology Network and raise its profile in the renal community. Closing date: 23 August 2010, 12pm. Full details at www.greenerhealthcare.org/nephrology-fellowship-2010 |
EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE: LIBERATING THE NHS - THE NEW NHS WHITE PAPER | |
| The coalition government released a new NHS white paper in July 2010 proposing a radical change in how health services are commissioned and monitored. They propose a shift from process related targets to outcomes related targets with emphasis on patient choice and greater autonomy and independence for healthcare providers. They have also proposed that better quality healthcare will be incentivised. You can read the white paper in detail here. But what does it mean for sustainable health? Read our news item here.
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GREAT OUTDOORS - AN ACTION REPORT BY THE FACULTY OF PUBLIC HEALTH | |
| This paper discusses how green spaces play a vital role in the health of the nation. The cost to the economy of mental ill-health is approximately £26 billion a year. It describes how ‘Safe, green spaces may be as effective as prescription drugs in treating some forms of mental illnesses’ and the evidence on how green spaces are linked with decreased health inequalities, reduced crime, and increased workplace productivity. You can read the full report here. |
UCLH LOW CARBON FOOD CHALLENGE | |
 | Trevor Payne, Director of Estates and Facilities at UCLH ran an extremely successful challenge to encourage his catering suppliers to offer a low carbon dish for two weeks in July to coincide with 10:10 Eating month. The response from the suppliers was quite amazing - read more and watch the video here. |
DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF ROBUST HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENTS - SURVEY | |
 | This collaborative project run by a team at Cambridge University investigates economic and practical strategies for the NHS infrastructure to increase its resilience to climate change whilst continuing to meet its service goals and energy performance requirements. The project is currently conducting a survey to establish a baseline definition of ‘resilience’ in healthcare. To read more and link to the survey click here. |
TOOLS & RESOURCES - SDU ADVOCACY SLIDE SET | |
 | The NHS Sustainable Development Unit has produced a fully annotated slide set to support health professionals in advocating on climate change, sustainable development and health. The slides have been piloted by Dr Kate Charlesworth with more than 200 public health registrars in 15 sessions in every region of the UK, between February and April, 2010. They focus on ways of communicating the evidence, and the need to act with both individuals and organisations. Download here. |
CARBON ADDICT SERIES - DIETARY ADVICE | |
 | Dietary advice appropriate to the vast majority of carbon addicts can be divided into the following three categories: 1. Amount. Advice: keep total food consumption in line with energy expenditure and nutritional demands. In practice, this usually translates to “you may wish to consider eating less overall”. 2. Composition. Advice: increase the proportion of vegetables and grains; cut down on processed foods and meat and dairy produce. 3. Source. Advice: seasonal and local (unless living next door to intensive beef farm). |
GOOD MONTH FOR ... | |
Congratulations to Spokes (the NHS Cycling Network) for being one of the winners in the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership Community Challenge Awards for reducing car use. | |
BAD MONTH FOR ... | |
Extreme weather events: flooding in Pakistan, heatwave and forest fires in Russia, flooding in China and heavy storms in Japan. | |
EVENTS | |
What home healthcare means to me (round-table discussion), 18th August, Online at your desk | |
Training course on workplace travel planning, 28th August, London | |
10:10 MONTHLY THEME - PLAYING | |
 | This month's theme provides an opportunity to promote outdoor exercise and physical activity - good for health and good for the environment. The predicted figures for obesity are scary but there are lots of projects that offer fun ways to keep active. Read Tim's blog here. |
