Transforming Hospital Theatres: Advances for a Greener NHS
The NHS is responsible for around 4% of the UK's carbon emissions, making it a significant contributor to climate change.
This event is your chance to:
Explore cutting-edge approaches that minimise environmental impact.
Learn how responsible disposal and alternative technologies can dramatically reduce emissions.
Engage with experts and fellow healthcare professionals committed to building a more sustainable future.
The webinar on Transforming Hospital Theatres: Advancements for a Greener NHS brought together industry leaders to discuss critical solutions for reducing healthcare’s environmental footprint
Frank Swinton, a consultant anaesthetist and climate change lead for West Yorkshire's Integrated Care Board, presented a roadmap for reducing carbon in healthcare. He discussed the paradox of healthcare’s environmental toll while aiming to improve individual health. Citing that the healthcare sector ranks as a major carbon-emitter globally, Swinton stressed initiatives for reducing energy use in theatres, such as waste segregation, low-energy lighting, and smart HVAC controls. He also suggested that the NHS must adopt reusability for items like surgical instruments and work with local suppliers to support sustainability. Swinton noted that the overarching goal is a shift from reactive healthcare to preventive care, with services closer to home to reduce travel and resource demand.
Richard McAuley, National Specification Manager, and Christina Hooley, Global Marketing Manager at Brandon Medical, explored how technology can transform sustainability in theatres. McAuley outlined how Brandon Medical’s IoT systems facilitate real-time monitoring of theatre conditions—tracking energy use, air quality, and equipment status. This data can link to hospital management systems to inform efficient resource use, such as adjusting lighting and air flow only when needed. Hooley added that designing operating theatres with modularity and scalability allows adaptation to new technologies and changing sustainability standards. By preparing theatres for future equipment and evolving regulations, the NHS can reduce both costs and environmental impact over time.
Ruth Bakerson-Lowe, from Vanguard, presented a unique solution through medical device remanufacturing. In this model, surgical instruments and devices are collected after use, sterilized, rigorously tested, and reintroduced into circulation. Bakerson Low emphasized that remanufacturing extends the device lifecycle without compromising safety, helping hospitals cut waste, lower costs, and reduce emissions from manufacturing. She differentiated remanufacturing from recycling, which may repurpose materials but still requires new resources to create fresh devices. Bakerson Low shared case studies from NHS hospitals that saved substantial funds and reduced waste by adopting remanufactured devices.