IT given role in greener NHS

The NHS must make much greater use of telemedicine and web conferencing if it is meet new targets to slash its carbon footprint, according to a government strategy launched today.

Saving Carbon Improving Health, outlines the government’s aim to cut carbon emissions in the NHS by 10% by 2015 and by 80% by 2050. The NHS has a carbon footprint of 18 million tonnes of CO2 per year, accounting for 3.2% of total emissions and 25% of public sector emissions in England.

Launching the strategy, David Nicholson, NHS chief executive, said the NHS needed to lead by example. “I want to encourage NHS staff to really get involved and do their bit to create a greener NHS.”

NHS organisations must decide for themselves how to meet the government’s targets but the strategy from the NHS Sustainable Development Unit sets out a series of areas to be tackled and includes recommended action points covering energy, procurement and travel.

It says every organisation should routinely and systematically review the need for staff, patients and visitors to travel by consistently monitoring business mileage. It also says organisations should be promoting incentives for low carbon transport and making greater use of telemedicine and home working opportunities.

It adds: “Audio, video and web conferencing technology must be made available by NHS organisations and staff must be trained in these technologies to support a cultural shift away from routine care and other high carbon travel and to encourage more home working where appropriate.”

The strategy says NHS organisations should also seek to encourage the use of information technology to reduce carbon emissions but at the same ensure organisations minimise, including waste from ICT.

Practical actions NHS trusts can implement include making sure that monitors and computers are switched off overnight.

Dr David Pencheon, director of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, said: “Carbon reduction is something that needs to extend to every part of the organisation. Everyone who works for the NHS should be thinking about reducing their carbon footprint as part of their day job.”

The SDU published its draft strategy on reducing carbon emissions in the NHS last year and followed this up with a four month consultation with NHS staff and organisations.

Two thirds of all NHS organisations responded to the survey, with 95% strongly supporting the health service acting as a leading organisation in reducing carbon and 65% stating that the measures in the draft strategy were not ambitious enough.

A total of 78% of those who took part reported that they felt carbon reduction should be measured and managed as part of core business in every NHS organisation.

Link:

NHS Sustainable Development Unit