Going green sees University Hospital gain silver accreditation in Royal College of Emergency Medicine programme

Ongoing work to reduce the environmental impact of the Emergency Department at University Hospital, Coventry – as well as improving patient care – has earned national recognition.

University Hospital is one of only two sites across England and Wales to win silver accreditation in the second round of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) programme.

GreenED sets out evidence-based actions – divided into bronze, silver and gold levels – to help drive environmentally sustainable practices within the speciality of Emergency Medicine.

After gaining bronze last year, UHCW has gone up another level – with assessors praising an ‘excellent submission’ and good support from senior leadership.

ED Consultant Dr Helen Wilkins, also a member of the RCEM Environmental Specialist Interest Group (ESIG), said: “We are delighted to see the work we have put in be recognised.

“Colleagues have put forward ideas and embraced what we are trying to do. We have also had great support from all areas of the Trust and our partners.

“Implementing these measures not only contributes to national Net Zero targets, but can also create financial savings and result in better care.”

Actions carried out to help gain silver accreditation include:

• Reducing usage of Entonox by 77 per cent and introducing penthrox (methoxyfluorane) into ED. It has a much lower carbon footprint than Entonox and is being used instead for pain relief/sedation for procedures like joint manipulations (eg dislocated shoulders)
• QR codes so patients can download advice leaflets to phones rather than having a printed version
• Trialling reusable tourniquets and reducing usage of disposable ones.
• Glove reduction by around 10,000 gloves a month
• Cutting the number of coagulation screens by 50 per cent by reducing unnecessary blood tests

The accreditation lasts for 12 months but work is already under way to reach gold level later this year.

Dr Ian Higginson, RCEM’s President-elect, said: “On behalf of the College – a huge congratulations to the team at University Hospital, Coventry.

“The accreditation awarded today is a testament to their passion, innovation and drive to reduce emissions, waste and costs to tackle the climate crisis.

“By doing so, they are creating a greener future – not only for the health of our planet, but the health of our patients and we are proud to support them in their environmental mission.”