Green Surgery – Supply Chain, Procurement & Industry
The Green Surgery Report, a collaboration between Brighton & Sussex Medical School, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare was published in November 2023. It lays out a clear statement of the need for sustainable surgical practice and points to practical actions for all members of the surgical team to reduce surgery’s environmental harms while safeguarding or improving care for patients.
The Sustainable Healthcare Coalition and The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) hosted a webinar on 10th April 2024 to discuss the report’s findings and explore how supply chains, procurement and industry can play critical roles in accelerating delivery of the decarbonisation and enhanced sustainability that is needed.
Commenting on the report Dr Fiona Adshead, Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition said, “We were delighted to support the development of this groundbreaking report which so clearly sets out the challenge ahead for greener surgery. It will provide opportunities for our members to innovate their products and services and allow us as a Coalition to further develop our thinking on sustainable procurement, circularity and our care pathway approach to surgery.”
The Sustainable Healthcare Coalition is a healthcare sector led group that looks for the greatest opportunities to inspire sustainable practices in healthcare through the collaboration of its members. The partnership learns through evaluation and promotes stories of impact. Focusing on key obstacles and opportunities, the partnership shares data and insights and develops best-practice guidance for use in healthcare systems and their supply chain partners.
ABHI is the UK’s leading industry association for health technology (HealthTech). ABHI supports the HealthTech community to save and enhance lives. Members, including both multinationals and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), supply products from syringes and wound dressings to surgical robots, diagnostics and digitally enhanced technologies.
Addie McGregor, Sustainability Manager at the ABHI reflected, “The Green Surgery Report underscores the collective journey to net zero. It shows how every member of the healthcare supply chain plays a pivotal role in this endeavour. It is crucial we unite industry, healthcare professionals, and supply partners, to embrace and implement sustainable practices. Together, we can drive the significant change needed to achieve a sustainable and resilient healthcare system.”