Withybush Hospital, part of Hywel Dda University Health Board and based in Haverfordwest, received Bronze accreditation through the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Green ED programme, which promotes sustainable practices in emergency care.
The achievement was made possible by a small team of staff dedicated to reducing waste and improving sustainability within the department.
Dr Oyewale Osundeyi said: “Trying to reduce waste comes with a lot of challenges, because you are trying to change people’s habits and trying to make sure people understand the importance, but we were lucky to get a lot of people involved from the estates team to the nursing departments who helped us achieve this.”
Key initiatives included replacing plastic medicine pots with paper alternatives, reducing the use of unnecessary cannulas, and improving energy efficiency by auditing and identifying outdated computer equipment for replacement.
Dr Lizzie Caisley, who led a project to reduce unnecessary blood testing, said: “By reviewing our routine practices, I was able to identify simple changes that benefit both patients and the environment.
“It shows how quality improvement work can deliver meaningful financial and environmental savings.”
The project is expected to save the department around £30,000 annually and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Administrative support was crucial to the team’s success.
Janet Bird, ED secretary, coordinated meetings, gathered information, and helped set up a GreenED information board to raise awareness among staff.
Consultant Dr Vicki Hughes said: “A group of individuals, cutting across resident doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and myself as a senior consultant, all got involved in this work.
“There were many different elements to achieving this bronze award.
“The next step is making sure the team is supported to build on it.”
Withybush is one of 11 emergency departments across England and Wales that together achieved an estimated £216,000 of cost savings and 131,502kg of CO2e savings.
Dr Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, praised the team’s work.
Dr Higginson said: “This accomplishment has been driven by a dedicated, innovative team, who have reduced emissions, as well as waste and saved costs – all to tackle the climate crisis.”
