And asking..
Is green surgery even possible?
I get the sense that most colleagues would like to do more. MUCH more..
BUT are held back by the size of the challenge..
AND the collective nature of the effort required.
This report put some numbers on the problem:
The report also confirms that:
And offers up 2 strategies for the NHS:
1. Buy reusable products
=> Carbon footprint ⬇️ 38–56%
2. ⬆️ Servitisation
Yeah,I didn’t know what that meant either..
Simply put, the NHS should pay a fixed price for services (rather than throw-away products)
The best example is reusable surgical drapes and gowns. The sterile operating barriers between surgeon + patient.
The supplier is incentivised to repair, not replace.
=> ⬇️ carbon 2–3x fold
Teaspoons at the ready..
However, at present ..in England and Wales
2/3rds gowns
3/4s of drapes
Remain DISPOSABLE.
Healthcare has been slow to respond to the climate crisis
Humanity remains too slow to respond to the climate crisis
This report is a call for individual and collective leadership.. to contribute.. to build something sustainable.
Something better..
