One way we can all be more involved in environmental sustainability is by joining a sustainability network.
From recycling to active travel, from prescribing to our greenspaces, from energy use to our supply chain – there are many ways that colleagues up and down the country are already working to make our NHS more sustainable.
One network that is bringing together expertise and insights across the clinical spectrum is the CLinical Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) which is part of the Sustainable Care workstream.
What is CLEAN?
CLEAN brings together those in the NHS and Scottish Government who are incorporating environmental sustainability into clinical practice and policy. By doing this, the intention is to highlight areas of work where gains are being made, focus on issues that need discussion and introduce people and organisations who can support work happening in Scotland.
While the focus of meetings is clinical care, presentations are open to all those in the NHS and government who are interested in environmental sustainability.
Meetings are held quarterly and feature a guest speaker or sometimes two. These have included:
- Professor Martin McCoustra from the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, who talked through the engineering challenges around anaesthetic gases
- Dr Ruth Glassborow, Director of Place and Wellbeing at Public Health Scotland (PHS), who presented on culture change
- Dr Frances Mortimer from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare
- Professor Sharon Pfleger, a consultant in Pharmaceutical Public Health who spoke about a journey to the Antarctic with women in science
- Dr Michael Jackson, consultant radiologist with NHS Lothian, talked on sustainability issues around medical imaging
- Shetland-based GP Dr Deepa Shah addressed the group recently about the work being done by Greener Practice in primary care
Stuart Duncan, Deputy Director, Leading Improvement Team, leads the Sustainable Care workstream in Scottish Government. He said driving change needed like-minded people to appreciate the nuances and challenges of other’s work, so we can share ideas and debate issues in a forum where the overarching goal is to protect the environment.
“CLEAN is a forum where we enable connections and share knowledge. We are open to suggestions for guest speakers and can also host discussion on issues of mutual concern.”
The Sustainable Care workstream tracks clinical projects currently underway which are driving forward NHSScotland’s goal towards being a net zero health service by 2040. These projects include the National Green Theatres Programme, medical gases, quality prescribing, and looking to the future, clinical education.
CLEAN meets quarterly on Microsoft Teams. The next meeting is scheduled for 10 June 2025, when Pete Rawcliffe, Head of People and Places at NatureScot, will be our guest speaker.
How can clinicians get involved?
To get involved contact Carol Campbell at carol.campbell@gov.scot or Sonja Cox on sonja.cox@gov.scot
Building and sharing sustainability networks across NHSScotland
There are many more groups and networks right across NHSScotland. We’re keen to hear about grassroots groups as well as more formal or ‘official’ networks – so please get in touch.