AN innovative new pilot project has been launched at Warrington and Halton hospitals in an effort to cut carbon emissions.
The zero-carbon cardiology patient scheme has been instigated by Warrington Hospital’s cardiology department.
Air pollution contributes more to global mortality than all other known environmental risk factors combined, with climate change with its devastating consequences closely linked to air pollution.
As the largest public sector employer in the UK, the NHS contributes between four and five per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions.
Dr Ahmed Farag, interventional cardiologist and clinical lead at the hospital trust, developed the pilot calculate, mitigate, and offset the department’s carbon consumption associated with patients’ diagnosis and treatment journey.
By selecting and supporting a small cohort of cardiology outpatients and the staff looking after them, the pilot aims to map their journeys through referral, diagnostics, treatment and discharge.
The project will be run across Warrington and Halton Hospitals
These patients will be recruited through Warrington and Halton hospital’s ‘Experts by Experience’ platform and supported throughout the 12-week pilot.
The team will work with community partners such as the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission to calculate, reduce and offset carbon emissions from staff and patients through means including planting trees on both Warrington and Halton sites.
Dr Farag said: “This is a really exciting project and the tip of the iceberg in terms of our green plan.
“The plan will act as the framework for the implementation of sustainability strategies, including reducing carbon emissions, reducing contribution to air pollution and reducing waste.”
An event to mark the offset of the carbon emissions recorded will see a tree planted by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant at both hospital sites as a mark of commitment by the trust to work towards its targets and to honour The Queen’s Green Canopy scheme for her Platinum Jubilee.
Patients who would like to take part in the pilot project should call 01925 635911 and ask for extension 5981.
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