CSH welcomes Sustainable Surgery Fellow Chantelle Rizan

We are pleased to announce that Chantelle Rizan has been appointed as the first Sustainable Surgery Fellow. She is an ENT surgeon, currently taking time out of training for her PhD, focusing on improving the sustainable value of surgery. This will balance patient and population outcomes against the ecological, social and financial sustainability of surgery. She has a Masters of Research in Medical Research and was previously chair of the Brighton Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Chantelle will be working alongside Mr Mahmood Bhutta, Founder of the BMA Fair and Ethical Trade Group. This post has been facilitated by Health Education England.

This surgical sustainability research will include:

• a) An evaluation of the national ecological sustainability of surgical services across England, using a hybrid approach (life cycle assessment + environmental input-output methodologies) This will identify opportunities to reduce waste, reuse equipment and refine processes within the operating theatre.
• b) Results from the national study will inform a more granular study focusing on identified carbon hotspots. and identifying areas to lean surgical services, improving financial sustainability.
• c) Chantelle will also examine social sustainability through evaluating the impact of surgery on the quality of life of patients, staff, carers and communities involved in the supply chain. The latter will include an evaluation of the risk of labour rights abuses.

Chantelle will also work to advocate sustainable practice within surgery, building a national Sustainable Surgery Ambassador Network. She will work alongside key policy makers and surgical opinion shapers to disseminate research findings and instigate real world change, improving the sustainability of surgery. She will seek to understand drivers and barriers to adoption of sustainability practices within surgergy. 

We are very pleased to have Chantelle on the CSH team. If you have questions for Chantelle or about the Sustainable Fellowship scheme, please email: info@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk 

To discuss creating a Sustainability Fellowship or Scholarship programme with your organisation, please contact frances.mortimer@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk