Wednesday 25 September 2024
The first hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) in the country to become accredited for environmental sustainability have received certifications from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).
RCEM’s GreenED initiative developed the first open-source sustainability framework specifically for a secondary care setting and has three levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold. Addressing these actions not only improves the environmental sustainability of an ED but contributes to national net zero targets and creates financial savings for EDs while maintaining or improving patient care.
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital of Northumbria Health Care NHS FT and Great Western Hospital of Great Western Hospital NHS FT received both their Bronze and Silver accreditations.
Bronze accreditations have been awarded to Derriford Hospital (University Hospitals Plymouth NHST), Heartlands Hospital (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT) and University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire (NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board).
Since the launch of GreenED in August 2023, more than 25 hospitals from across the UK have registered for accreditation including all the EDs in Wales.
RCEM’s Environmental Specialist Interest Group (ESIG) and Quality teams have led the development of GreenED, with the support of Greener NHS and Green Lab Associates. NHS England provided funding for the development of the initial pilot framework and resources.
In November 2023, GreenED began expanding internationally with plans to pilot the programme in New South Wales, Australia. There have been 13 pilot sites inducted and these will be ready to launch in October 2024.
Dr Ian Higginson, RCEM’s Vice President, said: “The GreenED has been a highly successful initiative for RCEM and its success has been a testament to the energy and enthusiasm of the team behind it, drawn from our ESIG and supported by our College.
“I am chuffed that my own department has become one of the first sites to achieve Bronze accreditation and would like to congratulate the four other departments that have been accredited.
“The next stop for my team at Derriford is Silver. It will be exciting to see whether the first two EDs to achieve that standard, from Great Western Hospital and Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, will be the first to reach Gold. Well done to both on their fantastic efforts so far.
“There are many more EDs across the country that will be beginning their GreenED accreditations soon and I am looking forward to hearing of their progress. I encourage any departments that have not yet registered to become part of this movement, to check out the website and consider joining in.”
Gordon Miles, RCEM CEO, commented: “These accreditations mark a huge step in RCEM’s mission to contribute to solving the ongoing climate crisis. An environmentally sustainable emergency healthcare system depends upon the determination of passionate GreenED teams in hospitals across the country, and I highly commend everyone taking part in achieving the goals of the programme.
“Each GreenED is leading the way with groundbreaking initiatives that support the research and development of RCEM’s ESIG. Assessing and improving the environmental sustainability of everyday clinical practice and developing GreenED relies on clinicians continually testing and disseminating our framework of standards.
“I am deeply grateful for the partnerships that have supported us in advancing environmental and operational sustainability within EM across the NHS and I eagerly anticipate the new opportunities that will emerge as GreenED gains momentum and expands globally.”
Dr Sandy Robertson, Chair of ESIG, said: “It is wonderful to see the GreenED changing the working practices of EM professionals in a way that improves patient care through sustainability. Congratulations to all the EDs that have received their accreditations.
“The health effects of the climate crisis are clear, resulting in climate change patients presenting to our Emergency Departments, with heat related illness and breathing problems. The College has recognised this for the emergency that it is by supporting departments registered for GreenED with environmental sustainability events and raised awareness of the health effects of climate change with expert speakers from around the world.
“The initiative has involved RCEM organising webinars covering the climate crisis and sustainability in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Network. We have also worked closely with the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change to advocate for the health benefits for swifter societal action on climate change.”
Dr Susan Dorrian, RCEM West Midlands Regional Chair and EM Consultant at Heartlands Hospital, commented: “We are delighted to have had the work of the GreenED project team at Heartlands recognised at Bronze level accreditation. The team formed in October 2023 with a range of colleagues in nursing, clinical, operational, admin, pharmacy, and paramedic backgrounds, with over 20 members working on projects at our peak.
“Using the framework has directed our efforts in sustainable healthcare and has directed us towards creating a large network of colleagues across our Trust with an interest in tackling the Climate Emergency.
“We have had lots of unintended benefits of our work; free four-week bus passes for new starters at the Trust including our international medical graduate colleagues, money saving on energy by reducing monitor brightness and shut-off times, improved medicines management processes for our discharge medications and compliance with microbial guidance.
“Our success has been shared across the Trust, with even more colleagues from different specialties and backgrounds asking to join us. We would encourage others to consider using the GreenED resources to support service and quality improvement initiatives that contribute towards sustainable healthcare in the ED.”
Related links:
All 2024 Green ED accreditations
Top Ten Tips for Turning Your ED Green
Spotlight on a GreenED Champion
