Newcastle Hospitals: Pioneering a Greener NHS Commitment

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

In an inspiring move towards sustainability, Newcastle Hospitals has taken a significant step by joining the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance. This initiative marks a pivotal commitment to creating a greener NHS, not just in the North but across the entire nation. As the first trust in the northern region to join this alliance, Newcastle Hospitals is setting a precedent for others to follow and is dedicated to re-imagining how medical products and equipment are utilised.

The NHS in England is notorious for generating a staggering 440 tonnes of medical waste each day. While the disposal of such items has become almost routine, research indicates that much of this waste is unnecessary and often rooted in misconceptions surrounding infection risks. This is where the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance comes into play, focusing its efforts on three foundational principles:

• Avoiding the use of items when they aren’t needed.
• Opting for reusable items over single-use alternatives wherever feasible.
• Ensuring that items reaching the end of their life cycle are returned for remanufacture or recycling whenever possible.

Newcastle Hospitals is no stranger to sustainability; the trust has long established robust processes for reusability. Notably, it was the first healthcare facility in Europe to implement reusable sharps containers, a move that took place over two decades ago. Furthermore, the trust utilises reusable bed curtains and operates on-site sterile services, allowing for the processing of reusable instruments for theatres, day cases, and even for Newcastle’s Dental Hospital.

In addition to these initiatives, Newcastle Hospitals is also making strides in its maternity services through the innovative Born Green Generation project. This initiative aims to safeguard newborns from the detrimental effects of certain plastics and chemicals while simultaneously reducing unnecessary plastic waste. Aly Kimber-Herridge, a midwife and project manager for Born Green Generation, shared her enthusiasm about the trust’s new alliance membership: “It’s great news that the trust has joined the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance. The Born Green Generation project aims to deliver healthcare free from unnecessary plastics and toxic chemicals, and protect current and future generations. Joining this alliance will help this ambition to become a reality.”

Newcastle Hospitals has set an ambitious target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. To support this goal, several initiatives are already in motion. Recently, in May of this year, the trust received an impressive £40 million funding boost to decarbonise the Freeman Hospital and two community sites. This funding will facilitate the installation of heat pumps, electrical upgrades, double glazing, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting, all aimed at reducing the overall carbon footprint of these facilities.

Moreover, the trust has taken significant measures to integrate sustainability into its procurement processes. It is now a requirement for all suppliers to provide carbon emission data, ensuring that robust reporting measures are in place. To further support suppliers in their sustainability journey, a five-step framework has been developed. This framework aims to assist companies in achieving their net zero goals, and it has already engaged over 850 businesses in the process of reducing their carbon footprints.

James Dixon, the associate director for environmental sustainability at Newcastle Hospitals, expressed his commitment to the trust’s climate emergency strategy: “Our climate emergency strategy includes a commitment to generate less waste and to reuse and recycle more. Increasing the use of reusables in a hospital setting can be challenging, so joining the alliance will help us to learn from other progressive NHS organisations and empower staff who are keen to reduce waste and help care for people and the planet.”

Newcastle Hospitals is not alone in this endeavour; it joins a coalition of trusts that are part of the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance. Other members include:

• University College London Hospitals
• University Hospitals Sussex
• Cambridge University Hospitals
• West London NHS Trust
• Imperial College Healthcare
• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Central London Community Healthcare

This collective effort highlights the growing recognition within the NHS of the urgent need for sustainable practices. The impact of this alliance could be transformative, not only for the trusts involved but also for patients and the environment. By prioritising the reuse of medical products and reducing waste, these hospitals are taking a proactive stance in the fight against climate change.

As we look to the future, Newcastle Hospitals and its partners in the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance illustrate that meaningful change is possible. Through innovation, collaboration, and dedication to sustainability, the healthcare sector can begin to shift towards a model that is not only efficient but also environmentally responsible.

In conclusion, the commitment of Newcastle Hospitals to join the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance is a monumental step towards a sustainable future for the NHS. By focusing on waste reduction, reusable medical products, and the proper recycling of end-of-life items, the trust is paving the way for a more sustainable healthcare system. Their efforts, alongside those of their fellow alliance members, demonstrate that with collective action, we can indeed create a healthier planet for future generations.

Let us all take inspiration from Newcastle Hospitals’ groundbreaking initiatives and strive towards a net zero future, ensuring that our healthcare systems reflect the values of sustainability and responsibility.