Cambridge University Hospital (CUH) has highlighted how its staff are helping to protect the environment and support the NHS’s journey to net zero.
A team of green champions have progressed through all five levels of CUH’s think green initiative challenge.
This includes Anna Mayhew, a senior sister, and Sue Walters, a specialist nurse, who have promoted reducing, reusing and recycling.
Mayhew and Walters do this via wildlife photography, weekly tips and quizzes. A popular ‘swap box’ also allows staff to exchange unwanted items, rather than wasting them.
Meanwhile, Jackie Cort-Monk, a lead resuscitation officer, has helped cut back on printing, reduce the use of anti-bacterial wipes and set up a system to recycle single-use coffee cups.
“Cutting down on paper has made the biggest impact on the way we work. It's actually made our processes much slicker. So it is a green initiative but saves time and money too.”
Cort-Monk added: “I think one of the things we're learning is that people just need to see others taking action and that inspires them to take action too.”
Jessy Varghease, a clinical research sister, inspired her team to work through the trust’s green programme in just one year.
The biggest impact was achieved through changes to how they process clinical trial blood samples – the team brought a computer into the sample handling room, which enabled staff to stop printing out study flowsheets.
Sustainability manager, Katie Sell, commented: “It is inspiring to see all the work our Green Champions at CUH are doing. As part of the challenge, they’ve looked at everything from energy and water use to how we travel, and what we buy and throw-away.”
She concluded: "They truly are leading the way and empowering others within the Trust to do the same.”
Image credit: iStock
