BGS Green Issues

As part of our commitment to sustainability, and in the interests of protecting our planet and climate to support the health of current and future generations of older people, the BGS has collected some information, resources and opinions on relevant environmental issues.

We also send out a regular e-Bulletin focusing on green themes, as well as occasional meet-up sessions at our national meetings. For more information about our green initiatives or to get involved, please email Mark Stewart at m [dot] stewart [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk.

Green issues blog series

To coincide with Clean Air Day on 16 June 2022, we have published a collection of blogs focusing on environmental issues relating to older people and the healthcare professionals caring for them.

BGS Green Issues: Time for a breath of fresh air?

Outdoor air pollution is estimated to be responsible for the premature deaths of up to 40,000 people annually in the UK. Older people and those with co-morbidities are a high risk group, but how many of us make it a priority to discuss how they can reduce the risks?

BGS Green Issues: Show me your meds, please

A new model of care asking a simple screening question during routine home visits by community staff provides the potential for massive reduction in medicines waste.

BGS Green Issues: What role should geriatricians play in response to the climate emergency?

We have responsibilities to our nearest and dearest, the patients directly under our care and to the health of populations more widely, all of whom are under threat by the climate emergency.

Related content from the BGS

Greening the NHS: Where do I Start?

There’s a wave of excitement sweeping through my Zooms. More and more of us in the NHS are hungry for advice about how to reduce our carbon footprint, but many of us just don’t know where to start.

22 April 2021

Mobilising to NHS Net Zero

I have developed a secret obsession with walking aids. As an ST6 in Geriatric and Stroke Medicine, at least a passing interest might be expected, but I have spent a disproportionate amount of time of late investigating our Trust’s use of these items – how many are given out, their cost, who gets them and, crucially, what happens to them when the person they were given to no longer needs them.

12 March 2021

Frailty and lung disease: Best practice

01 May 2019

Dr Laura Pugh and Dr Chris Dyer of the BGS Respiratory SIG explain how acute respiratory and geriatric medicine teams can work together on issues of frailty.

Good practice guide

British Geriatrics Society

BGS Green Issues

Green issues blog series

BGS Green Issues: Time for a breath of fresh air?

BGS Green Issues: Show me your meds, please

BGS Green Issues: What role should geriatricians play in response to the climate emergency?

Related content from the BGS

Greening the NHS: Where do I Start?

Mobilising to NHS Net Zero

Frailty and lung disease: Best practice

More information

BGS Environmental Policy

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British Geriatrics Society

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