The Sustainability Day of Action 2023: Delivering a Net-Zero NHS
The Sustainability Day of Action brought together industry experts and thought leaders to shed light on innovative technologies, services, and processes aimed at reducing emissions and achieving a Net-Zero NHS.
Rob Marsh, Business Development Director, Jump
Our first speaker of the day was Rob Marsh with his talk on “Empowering Organisations for a Sustainable Future.”
"We help organisations to create a culture of sustainability and embed that within their organisations."
Jump is driven by the mission to motivate and empower individuals and organisations to take action for a sustainable future. Jump delivers customised engagement and behaviour change programs, utilising technology, communications, gamification, and rewards to create a culture of sustainability and accelerate the journey to net zero.
"We're really proud to be working with 25 NHS Trusts already to help them really communicate their green plans."
Throughout the webinar, Rob highlighted the significance of behaviour change and engagement in addressing sustainability challenges. He emphasised that attracting and retaining talent is crucial for any organisation. By implementing clear strategies and programs, organisations can create an environment that attracts and retains employees who are passionate about sustainability.
“The world is changing, by being able to attract and retain talent is always going to be key to any organisation. 83% of millennials would be more loyal to an organisation that helps them contribute to societal issues. Therefore, having a clearly defined strategy and programme in place to help them do this at work becomes a way to attract and retain talent.”
Rob Sinclair, Project Development Manager, Breathe Energy
Our second speaker was Rob Sinclair, Project Development Manager at Breathe Energy. Rob shared valuable insights into sustainable carbon and energy reduction solutions.
Breathe Energy specialises in designing and constructing large-scale infrastructure renewal and renewables projects, aiding clients in their transition to net zero while reducing operating costs and improving building environments.
Rob presented a case study of their work so far with North Tyneside General Hospital. Breathe is collaborating with the Trust to implement a variety of energy efficiency and capital enhancements to hospital facilities in order to deliver sustainable carbon reduction. With Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions expected to drop to 25% of the 2021 baseline by 2030 and 10% by 2040, respectively, the project will allow the Trust to go a little closer to the NHS Net Zero target by 2040.
"We didn't just look at air source heat pumps and solar PV we looked at the whole building to make sure that we were getting that energy usage down as much as possible.”
There are currently three steam boilers in use, two of which are over 45 years old. A new low-temperature hot water system is being built in their place. This will be in place before the steam system is taken out, ensuring the hospital's continued access to energy.
“We looked at things like the water source heat pumps, we looked at air handling units, we looked at changing out the old steam network on-site."
Rob emphasised the importance of utilising data to gain insights and maximize savings. By leveraging data effectively, organisations can make informed decisions and drive sustainable change.
Romina Jerez Garcia, the CEO and Founder, Medicus Caps
Romina delivered an impactful talk addressing the issue of disposable scrub caps in the healthcare industry. She highlighted the real cost of disposable scrub caps and presented sustainable alternatives Medicus Caps offers.
Disposable scrub caps pose a significant environmental challenge, particularly in the healthcare sector. Romina emphasized the staggering number of caps that are disposed of each year, using the example of 3000 theatres running at 95% capacity in the NHS, which would result in 20,820,000 caps being discarded annually. This alarming figure emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
Medicus Caps provides a practical and eco-friendly alternative by offering reusable scrub caps. These caps are not only sustainable but also feature names and roles embroidered on the front, enhancing identification and communication within healthcare settings.
By reducing medical waste and the associated CO2 emissions, Medicus Caps plays a vital role in improving patient safety and contributing to the achievement of net-zero goals. Romina's talk shed light on the significant impact that sustainable alternatives can have in the healthcare industry, helping to create a greener and more environmentally conscious healthcare system.
Through initiatives like Medicus Caps, we can collectively work towards a more sustainable future in healthcare, where patient safety and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
The Sustainability Day of Action webinar provided valuable insights into sustainable practices, technology adoption, and innovative solutions in various sectors. The expertise shared by industry speakers such as Rob Marsh, Rob Sinclair, and Romina Jerez Garcia demonstrated the importance of collective efforts in driving the journey towards a sustainable future.
By implementing the strategies and solutions discussed, organisations can contribute significantly to reducing emissions and achieving net zero goals.
Let's continue to harness these insights and work together to create a greener and more sustainable world.