I am a new consultant geriatrician in Edinburgh. I have been working on sustainability in healthcare since 2020. I started off noticing that there was waste and pollution in healthcare and began trying to find information about it. I gradually built up a knowledge base through reading and attending workshops, seminars and conferences as they began to become popular. Following on from that I have chaired a Environment Working Group for the RCPE since 2022, published carbon footprinting analysis of Geriatric Medicine Outpatient appointments and created a CO2 ready reckoner for NHS Lothian. I have also spoken locally, nationally and internationally on the subject. My main learning point is that actually, for a Geriatrician, practicing realistic medicine is the best way to minimise environmental harm, followed by considering travel: your commute, and how patients reach you.
I am keen to normalise considering the environmental impact of healthcare into all research and quality improvement work and invite anyone interested to join the movement!