Rida Haider
Anything we can do to achieve the QIPP agenda, which is all about reducing waste and inefficiency, is likely to improve the sustainability at the same time.
Renal Physician
A recent study shows that the NHS contributes 25% of public sector carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom. According to this study, these statistics have led to the idea of increasing the pressure on public healthcare in order to reduce the environmental impact. At the same time, this has posed a new financial challenge for the health and social care sector.
Keeping the statistics and status of sustainability in mind, it is safe to say that we as a society need to find innovative approaches to improve sustainability in health and social care, by improving the efficacy. It is quite possible to improve the efficacy while improving and maintaining the quality of the patient care. This can be achieved by various means: by reducing the carbon pathways, by laying more emphasis to the evidence-based care and also by reducing the pressure overall. Having access to more green spaces will encourage the decrease of meat consumption and also promote active travel.
In the university itself, the app MOVES has encouraged the physical activity among students and staff, promoting the idea of an active lifestyle. The same way, hospitals and health care services can also implement a few sustainable practices.
There has been a rise in a few successful sustainability projects which are working to improve the service access and quality, but more needs to be done. I believe awareness is a good start.