NHS Scotland net zero efforts expanded

NHS Scotland is expanding its initiative to deliver greener and more sustainable healthcare across Scotland’s health services, with the launch of the new NHS Green Healthcare Scotland service.

Building on the success of the National Green Theatre Programme previously led on anaesthetic gases, NHS Scotland is expanding the initiative to deliver greener and more sustainable healthcare across more areas than ever before.

The NHS Green Healthcare Scotland (NGHS) programme of work will be led by NHS Golden Jubilee’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery, and its expansion will begin with the inclusion of renal and endoscopy services across the country.  

Having already saved 12,000 tonnes equivalent of carbon dioxide this year, the programme is projected to save more than 20,000 tonnes annually for the NHS in Scotland.

To achieve this reduction – comparable to removing more than 7,000 cars from the road for a year – health boards are implementing 14 carbon-saving actions.

So far, adopting greener more environmentally friendly initiatives has saved NHS boards £600,000 according to the NHSGS team.

Centre for Sustainable Delivery National Director Katie Cuthbertson, said:

“This allows us to build on a proven track record of delivering real change.  

“By expanding into new specialties, we’re helping NHS Scotland reduce its environmental impact while maintaining patient care. 

“It’s a win for sustainability, efficiency, and for the future of healthcare.”

New focuses

Renal and endoscopy services were identified through a recent scoping exercise commissioned by the Scottish government, with both specialities presenting ‘clear opportunities’ for environmental and financial savings.  

The Scottish Renal Association supports NHS Scotland renal departments in sharing examples of key developments and quality improvement work that have positively impacted the resources used in renal care, the environment and population wellbeing.

Working as part of the NGHS, renal and endoscopy services will support raising awareness, encourage innovation and build a multi-disciplinary community of sustainable healthcare practice.

Last month, a NHS Scotland partnership secured £3.1m to identify new opportunities for health service and product changes towards a net zero NHS.

David Taggart, Head of Climate Change and Delivery in the National Green Healthcare Programme, said the expansion is a “natural next step” for the programme:

“We’ve seen the impact that sustainable practices can have in operating theatres, both environmentally and financially, and we know that renal and endoscopy services can benefit in the same way.”

Renal services are delivered across Scotland, offer opportunities for estimated savings of 2,500 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide and £1.2m annually.  

Meanwhile, through exploring reusable supplies and low carbon decontamination technologies, endoscopy offers potential savings of 3,000 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide and £1.5m annually.

The Scottish Trainees’ Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ScotRIGHT) network and the Scottish Society of Gestroenterology will support the programme of work in endoscopy.

These projects build on the proven track record of clinically led improvements delivered under the National Green Theatre Programme reducing emissions, cutting waste, and freeing up vital resources for patient care.

Flagship initiatives like ‘Lean Trays’ streamlining the instruments on surgical trays to avoid waste and transform surgical efficiency and pilots on reusable theatre items and show how sustainability is being embedded across NHS Scotland. 

Public Health Scotland and Aberdeen researchers have also estimated that the patient and public benefits from NHS outdoor spaces bring savings of £81.9m a year.

David Taggert said this expansion will support more NHS teams across Scotland to bring climate considerations into healthcare:

“By broadening our focus, we’re supporting more clinical teams to deliver care that’s not only effective but also aligned with our climate responsibilities.”

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