Great Western Hospitals becomes first NHS England exemplar organisation for sustainable practice in infection prevention and control

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has become the first across the country to be recognised by NHS England as an exemplar organisation for sustainability in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.

This landmark achievement highlights the Trust’s commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability, whilst continuing to provide safe and efficient patient care.

The report recognises a series of transformative green initiatives introduced across the Trust in recent months, which are all having a significant impact in supporting the organisation’s ambitious goal to be net zero carbon by 2040.

This includes being one of the first organisations to achieve both the bronze and silver GreenED accreditations for sustainable practice in the Emergency Department, through measures including reduced plastic waste and 40 per cent reduced cannulations, which equates to approximately the same amount of CO2e as nine flights between London and New York.

Other initiatives include a ‘Gloves Off’ campaign in Critical Care to reduce unnecessary glove use, which has prevented around 1.6 tonnes of emissions, and the trialling of reusable tourniquets, each of which can prevent at least 10,000 disposable tourniquets from being used.

Graham Pike, Associate Director of Nursing & IPC and Clinical Sustainability Lead, said: “By bringing together the expertise of IPC and sustainability, we’ve been able to overcome perceived barriers and find practical solutions.

“Understanding the opportunities and realities in a clinical environment, while applying sustainability expertise, has allowed us to implement these initiatives more smoothly and effectively, whilst also saving the NHS money during a time of challenging financial constraints.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as an exemplar site for IPC and sustainability, recognising the success of our joint efforts and paving the way for future innovation. By taking these steps today, we can protect the health of our patients and local community for years to come.”

The report is now being shared with other NHS organisations, so that staff can learn and adopt similar practices in their own working environments.

You can also read the report here: Sustainability | Great Western Hospital