THE GREEN NEPHROLOGY
SURVEY OF SUSTAINABILITY IN
RENAL UNITS 2009/10
A programme of Knowledge into Action
Registered charity No. 1123566. Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way, Oxford OX2 7LG
INTRODUCTION
Climate change presents a major threat to global health.
The very provision of healthcare has a significant environmental impact.
The carbon footprint of kidney care is likely to be disproportionately large.
A transition to low carbon kidney care is therefore required.
This survey was designed to identify…
how renal units currently use their resources
examples of good practice in this regard
areas in which renal units can achieve ‘quick wins’
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
INTRODUCTION
The survey was completed by Green Nephrology Local Representatives
within 56 adult and paediatric renal units across England, Scotland & Wales
between October 2009 and February 2010.
We hope these results provide some inspiration and ideas for you to green
your own units.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
LIGHTING
National Responses
Local results
Low energy lightbulbs are used in ‘all or
almost all’ lights in 27.4% of renal units.
When not required, lights are ‘always or
usually’ switched off in 58.2% of units.
Motion sensors, to switch off unnecessary
lights, are not used at all in 65.5% of units.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
HEATING
In 65.5% of renal units, the staff
cannot control the thermostat!
Is this the case in your unit?
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
HEATING
National Response
Local Response
Staff do not have access to the
thermostat controls in 65.5% of units.
Air chilling facilities don’t switch off
automatically when the heating comes
on in 52.7% of units.
Shading for south facing windows is
provided in 60% of units.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
National Response
Local Response
60% of units encourage staff to switch
off computers when not in use…
…but only 10.9% of units use
automated systems to ensure this
really happens!
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
STAFF & PATIENT TRAVEL
Patient & staff travel contributes nearly one fifth of the NHS footprint.
Can your unit sever its ties with the car?
How about running virtual clinics? Or signing up to the Cycle to Work scheme?
Or providing staff and patients with information about public transport?
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
STAFF TRAVEL
National Response
Local Response
80% of units (or their trusts) have
signed up to the Cycle to Work
Scheme.
And 69.1% of units provide adequate
shower and changing facilities for
walkers and cyclists.
But…staff shift patterns don’t
correspond to public transport
timetables in 49.1% of units, although
96.4% of units are well served by
public transport.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
PATIENT TRAVEL
National Response
Local Response
63.6% of units don’t actively support
patients who might wish to use public
transport.
And only 18.2% of units use
predominantly low emission vehicles.
How about starting a telephone clinic
service? 12.7% of units currently provide
some care this way.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
PROCUREMENT
Contracts for supplies
include sustainability
criteria in…
Local response
…only 7.5% of units
procuring PD supplies
…only 9.3% of units
procuring HD supplies
…and only 3.5% of
office supplies
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
PRINTERS & PAPER USE
National Responses
Local Responses
Printers are only set to print double
sided as default in 22.6% of units.
Less than one third of units (29.6%)
buy recycled paper.
Only 7.4% of units email any of their
letters to primary care in preference to
paper copies.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
HAEMODIALYSIS SUPPLIES
National Response
Local Response
HD fluids are purchased in
cartridges in 43.4% of units.
45.3% of units don’t purchase
their dialysates in the highest
available concentrations.
Plastic and paper packaging
from single-use HD equipment
is recycled is NOT recycled in
67.9% of units.
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
RECYCLING
National Response
Local Response
Recycling bins are present in clinical areas
in about 76% of units
Suppliers collect (and recycle) packaging
from HD and PD in only 28.3% and 15.1%
of cases respectively
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
WATER CONSERVATION
Only 2 renal services salvage reject water during haemodialysis.
But look at the returns on investment achieved by the Kent team...
Find out more:
http://www.greenerhealthcare.org/conserving-waterhaemodialysis-case-study-and-how-guide
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Only about a quarter of units provide green spaces for
staff (24.5%) and patients (25.9%). Can you improve on yours?
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
IS YOUR UNIT READY FOR THE
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
National Response
Local Response
Only 13.0% of units have incorporated the National Heat
Wave Plan into their polices. Are you one of them?
Kidney patients are at greater risk than most from heat
waves. Is yours once of the 29.6% of units providing
patients with specific advice about this?
52.8% have alternative plans in place if the weather should
disrupt their HD patients transport. Does yours?
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
Why not
agree some
actions now?
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
USEFUL INFORMATION
Download the 10:10 Renal Checklist and see existing Case Studies
http://www.greenerhealthcare.org/1010-renal-checklist
Find out more about the Green Nephrology Programme
http://www.greenerhealthcare.org/green-nephrology
Contacts at the Campaign for Greener Healthcare
Andy Connor, Green Nephrology Fellow, [email protected]
Frances Mortimer, Medical Director, [email protected]
transforming healthcare for a sustainable future