In June 2019, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NUTH) became the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a Climate Emergency, recognising that a climate emergency is also a health emergency, and committed to becoming a net-zero carbon organisation by 2040.
In response, the Green Nephrology Group at NUTH developed a roadmap with the aim of minimising the environmental impact incurred across its Renal Services. It approached the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition to help it undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts of renal services; identify common metrics and opportunities for reduction that can be deployed at NUTH Freeman Hospital and beyond; and facilitate the development of a more sustainable care pathway for End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).
This case study outlines the results of an assessment focusing on in-centre haemodialysis (ICHD) that provides the first step in NUTH’s roadmap towards delivery of a carbon net-zero renal care pathway. The environmental impacts associated with ICHD have been calculated, a greater understanding of the impact ‘hotspots’ has been achieved and recommendations to reduce the environmental impacts associated with providing ICHD care have been identified.
In-Centre Haemodialysis at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital