Greener Respiratory Healthcare - Calendar of action

Promoting practical action that can help to reduce the environmental impact of respiratory healthcare.

Use this calendar to identify practical steps you can take to make your respiratory healthcare greener – either in the short term or the long term. This resource enables you to take a ‘small steps of change’ approach to achieving greener healthcare around a busy practice environment. Take part in the challenge as an individual or with your practice team.

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Explore our calendar themes below:

Smoking cessation

Tobacco products aren’t just a threat to health, their production has serious environmental consequences, including deforestation. By supporting smoking cessation you are playing a crucial role in reducing this environmental impact.

Actions...

• Listen to our series on smoking cessation, with podcasts covering VBA and top tips
• Browse our tobacco dependency resources to support your patient’s to quit
• Read our guide to help you to do better in treating tobacco dependency

The 5Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Reprocess, Renewable, Recycle 

Adopting the 5Rs can help us to minimize waste, conserve resources, and lower our environmental impact at home and at work.

Actions...

• Read this Taskforce for Lung Health policy paper on the need for a national inhaler recycling scheme
• Watch this case study from Dr Kat Parker on switching patients from MDIs to DPIs
• Avoid single-use containers by staying hydrated with a reusable water bottle or cup

Pollution & climate

Air pollution and climate change are closely linked - pollutants worsen air quality and contribute to global warming - with significant implications for respiratory health.

Actions...

• Read this article on reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution in healthcare services
• Tune into our greener healthcare podcast* on the impact of air pollution
• Use this clean air tool to create your personalised plan to avoid and reduce air pollution
• Complete our online module* on pollution and climate to learn about its impact on health

Virtual care

Using remote consultation and virtual monitoring where appropriate ensures that people make only essential trips to give and receive care, which ultimately reduces carbon emissions.

Actions...

• Watch our webinar to find out what works when it comes to virtual wards and rehab
• Learn about PCRS’ position on respiratory data and digital care
• Read about the key findings of an evaluation of virtual wards in the south east region

Sustainability & carbon reduction

Energy-efficient designs, renewable energy use, and waste reduction strategies can be implemented to lower carbon emissions and make healthcare services and premises more sustainable.

Actions...

• Take public transport - walk, run or cycle to work. Make your commute greener!
• Meet with your practice team to discuss implementing a carbon reduction plan
• Learn how the carbon footprint of respiratory care can be assessed and reduced
• Hear about Frome Medical Centre's ongoing work to make its building more sustainable
• Watch Dr Steve Holmes share a whole practice approach to Greener Healthcare
• Introduce Meat Free Mondays at your practice. One day a week can make a world of difference

Schools & CYP

Air pollution affects children more severely than adults, it worsens asthma, and increases the risks of allergies. By supporting clean air and asthma initiatives for schools you can help reduce the impact of pollution on their health.

Actions...

• Watch and share this short film that explains what makes a school asthma friendly
• Join PCRS In Conversation to explore health inequalities and childhood asthma
• Find out how you can start to build the case for a School Street near you

Greener healthcare

The climate crisis is a health crisis. While it can feel like an overwhelming issue - we can all take practical actions to reduce our own environmental impact and that of the care we deliver.

Actions...

• Use our Greener Respiratory Pathway to identify a greener approach to respiratory care
• Contact your local MP or councillor about greener healthcare in your area
• Subscribe to the Greener NHS bulletin for inspiration on how to green your practice
• Plan a charity event or fundraising challenge for a green good cause
• Use our guide to identify actions you can take to deliver greener respiratory healthcare

Take action now

Help others to make their practice kinder and greener - share this digital calendar or print a copy.

Print version.

Download the electronic version of the calendar to share with your networks.

Download calendar.

We are grateful to Chiesi for the provision of a grant to support the activities of the PCRS Greener Respiratory Healthcare campaign. The campaign has been solely organised by PCRS and Chiesi has had no input in the content.