Find out more about the group in the video below
The vision of the UKRI funded Green Healthcare Hub (GHH) is to be a world-leading international hub to support the NHS and serve as a model to other health systems in decarbonising the commissioning and delivery if healthcare. Our core functions are to:
- Research and influence policy, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour relating to sustainability in health and healthcare
- Evaluate the environmental and social impacts of healthcare and develop responses to mitigate these
- Collaborate in development of lean health service design
- Build capacity in teaching and learning on sustainable health and sustainable healthcare
What is sustainable healthcare?
We use a triple bottom line definition of sustainability, taking into account environmental, social and financial elements. Healthcare systems and processes can only be considered sustainable where all three elements (also termed ‘People, Planet and Profits’) intersect and are upheld.
Importance of environmental sustainability
Climate change is the greatest threat to public health in the 21st century, but provision of healthcare itself impacts on our environment. For example, the NHS generates around 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) each year in England, and 5.4% of net UK greenhouse gas emissions.
Importance of social sustainability
Provision of healthcare also impacts on the lives of patients, their families, allied healthcare professionals, and those within the healthcare supply chain. The majority of healthcare products are manufactured overseas, and there are reports of widespread violations of labour rights in the manufacture of medical gloves, face masks, surgical instruments, and medical textiles.
Importance of financial sustainability
Healthcare spending has increased in line with an ageing population and medical advances. For health systems to remain financially viable requires efficient use of our resources and improved systems for delivery of care as well as an increased focus on disease prevention.
For more information about Education and Research in Sustainable Healthcare at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, please follow the link below.
This work was supported by UK Research and Innovation Building a Green Future strategic theme and the National Institute for Health and Care Research(NIHR) APP29078 MR/Z506679/1.