Healthier planet. Healthier people.
Climate change poses a major threat to staff, patients, and their communities. This is because there is a direct link between the health of our planet and the health of our people. As a system, we are acting to reduce the harmful gases it puts into the atmosphere. Fewer emissions will mean fewer patients with asthma, heart disease, and cancer. It will also reduce any disruption to the delivery of the care we provide.
We’ll be sharing greener initiatives for the people of the Black Country here.
Greener AHP Week 2024: 22-26 April There are exciting new initiatives to improve patient care. Earth Day on 22 April 2024 will be the launch of the second Greener AHP week which showcases some of these changes in care delivery.
As health professionals and care organisations we have a duty to deliver health care now and to ensure that the care we are giving is not playing a part in damaging our patient’s health. AHPs are well placed to play a role to play in getting to net zero while ensuring high quality care for all.
We’re asking AHP teams to get involved with Greener AHP week in any way they would like. Visit the Greener Allied Health Professional hub for inspiration.
Improving patient outcomes and reducing carbon emissions for asthma patients
NHS England has also developed a short animation for clinicians treating patients with asthma and COPD, explaining how they can improve patient outcomes and reduce carbon emissions through:
- Ensuring early and accurate diagnosis
- Optimising disease control following local or national guidelines
- Carefully selecting an appropriate inhaler using a shared decision-making process with patients
- Asking patients to return all unused or unwanted inhalers to pharmacies for appropriate disposal