Staff in NHS Lothian have been recognised at two separate events for the work they’re doing to help the Health Board in its journey to Net Zero.
At NHS Lothian’s 2023 Celebrating Success staff awards a team of anaesthetists won a top honour for their work in the Green Theatres programme to reduce the impact of medical gases on the environment in Lothian.
Anaesthetic gases account for around 5% of the overall carbon footprint of health services.
Dr Matthew Royds, Dr Sarah Cross, Dr Andrew Grant and Dr Andrew Goddard and the team of environmentally conscious anaesthetists from across NHS Lothian were presented with the special Chair’s Award at the ceremony.
Each year the Chair’s Award recognises a team or individual for their outstanding work. This is the first year it was awarded to staff for their work on environmental sustainability.
Since NHS Lothian started reporting carbon emissions from Anaesthetic Gases in 2018/2019, there has been a 25% reduction of 1427 tonnes of CO2 to 2022/2023.
This has been achieved by reviewing the systems of delivering the gases to patients, reducing waste gases and gases escaping to the environment as well as changing to medical gases which have a lower impact on the environment.
Dr Matthew Royds, Clinical Director of Anaesthetics & Theatres at the Western, said: “Operating theatres are significant contributors to the carbon emissions generated by healthcare. A lot of this is due to the gases and techniques which have long been used in anaesthesia.
“Our team felt that, as professionals, we have a moral obligation to find more sustainable alternatives, while continuing to deliver the same high level of patient care.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see the real and measurable reduction in our environmental impact, which has been achieved through a passionate team effort and a long-term commitment to more sustainable practices, which will ultimately benefit us all.”
Also last week, Saskia Quelleron, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Manager for NHS Lothian, was recognised at the Sustainable Care Workstream Event by the Cabinet Secretary, Mr Michael Matheson.
Mr Matheson presented certificates to five people from across Scotland for the work they have done in the field of sustainable care.
Saskia was recognised for her role including leading for NHS Lothian on green theatres as part of the national Green Theatres programme.
Saskia said: “it is great to get this recognition and to know that NHS Lothian is one of the boards helping to lead the way for the NHS in Scotland.
“This is particularly rewarding as this occurs in the same week as my anaesthetic colleagues won the Chair’s Award in NHS Lothian’s annual awards for their work on Green Theatres.
“None of this work can be done without support from the many staff who all continue to drive sustainable change enthusiastically in NHS Lothian.”
