Net Zero Clinical Care 2023

SUSTAINABLE DIAMONDS IN PRIMARY CARE - HOW TO HELP GP PRACTICES TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO

Dr Abigail Fry (GP partner), Mile Oak Medical Centre, Brighton

All our GP practices in the West Hove Primary Care Network (PCN) achieved a sustainability award in this 6 month project If we can do it, so can you! Read more to find out how

Aims

To increase the number of local practices actively participating in carbon reduction strategies
To support practices to engage with the Green Impact for Health Toolkit
To help the NHS reach its net zero goal by 2040

Background

Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity (WHO2021)

Primary care contributes to 23% of NHS’ carbon footprint.
The Green Impact for Health Toolkit can help practices improve their carbon footprint in an easy, step-wise way.
Actions in the toolkit result in points which lead to various awards.
Practices can feel good making positive changes for the world.
Some changes can save money and increase income.

Project

Supporting 5 GP practices in the West Hove Primary Care Network (PCN) one day per week from Nov 2022 to May 2023 to engage with the Green Impact for Health Toolkit by:

• Whole team practice meetings to introduce the• project and share resources plus PCN meetings

• Presenting each practice their own inhaler data

• Regularly updating a PCN League Table showing points and awards achieved

• Devising deadlines for the practices to aim for

• Offering a prize hamper to the most improved practice in the project

• Developing personalised ‘Quick Win’ sheets showing how to get Bronze and Silver Awards

• Meeting different teams within the practices (e.g., the admin, pharmacy, nursing teams)

Examples of toolkit actions practices achieved

Switching from expensive yellow waste bags to tiger bags

Changing to recycled paper

Introducing rechargeable batteries

Adding sustainability to every practice meeting

Swapping to Ecosia for main search engine

Timer added to kitchen drinking water heater

Increasing recycling and halving general waste

Data

Range of practice’s points at the start, midpoint and end of the project

Reached Net Zero = Diamond Award

300 points Platinum Award

225 points Gold Award

150 points Silver Award

75 points Bronze Award

4 out of 5 practices had not engaged with the GIFH toolkit at the start of the project

By the midpoint all had new awards

After 6 months Portslade Health Centre had gained the most points & won a Silver Award!

Suggestions for Quick Wins actions to receive a bronze award

Electricity statements 2 points

Avoid paper 5 points

Social prescribing certificate 5 points

Inhaler recycling promoted 2 points

Poster to switch off 2 points

Climate change on every agenda 3points

Social prescribing champion 4 points

Recycle print toners 2 points

Breastfeeding friendly 2 points

Review Open Prescribing 5 points

Social prescribing local network 5 points

Shredded paper necessary? 2 points

Store cleaning items safely 3 points

Inhalers education 5 points

Staff bike stands 4 points

Menstrual cup poster 1 point

GIFH on website 2 points

Contact ICB for inhaler switching 3points

Recycled/FCS printer paper 2 points

Label dual flush toilets 2 points

Climate meeting 4 points

Ventolin to Salamol switch 4points

Recycle paper & print double-sided 2 points

Kitchen improvement 2 points

Switch browser to Ecosia 2 points

Social prescribing training 5 points

Label bins 5 points

Storage of pollutants 2 points

Benefits of collaborating as a PCN

• Save money – building/admin/energy efficiencies (data collection ongoing)

• Reduce inequalities – social prescribing

• Improve team working in the practices

• Improve networking and collaboration across the PCN

Points are continuing to be added to the majority of the 5 practice’s toolkits after completion of the project

With minimal support and friendly competition, GP practices are happy to use the Green Impact for Health Toolkit to make their practices environmentally sustainable

Learning and what next?

It was fantastic to see practices engage in sustainability changes and to realise each of us can make a difference: the ripple effect that comes about from changes in a work setting has even spread to homes and beyond. With minimal encouragement changes can happen quickly. If more and continued support is offered to primary care, there will be faster progress to Net Zero.

For more information, please contact abigailfry@nhs.net. This pilot project was funded by an award from the Healthier Futures Fund which enabled Dr Abigail Fry to spend 1 day per week on the 6 month project. The practice teams completed and updated their toolkits themselves.

Thank you for the funding from the NHS Healthier Futures Action Fund

Net Zero Clinical Care 2023

A project to implement the Green Impact for Health Toolkit resulting in awards in all practices within a primary care network

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