Derriford Hospital emergency team secure major sustainability milestone

The Emergency Department at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has been awarded a Silver accreditation for environmental sustainability by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

Derriford Hospital, part of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, received the award through the College’s GreenED programme. 

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The initiative supports emergency departments to reduce carbon emissions and waste while maintaining standards of patient care.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust joined the programme in 2023, achieving Bronze accreditation in 2024, and is now one of just six NHS trusts in the country to reach Silver level.

The GreenED framework sets out evidence-based actions to improve environmental performance in emergency medicine. 

These include cutting energy use, improving waste segregation and reviewing the use of clinical supplies.

For the Bronze award, staff focused on reducing carbon emissions by making better use of energy, auditing paper use and reviewing the use of sharps bins, gloves and personal protective equipment. 

To achieve Silver accreditation, the team introduced reusable items where possible and reviewed procedural packs to ensure they contained only necessary equipment. 

The department also looked at more sustainable clinical items, including cannulation materials, and assessed medications with high carbon emissions, switching to lower-impact alternatives.

Kirsty Wavish, Sustainability Manager at University Hospitals Plymouth, said: “Not only have colleagues in the ED worked incredibly hard to improve timely access to care for our patients, but they are also spearheading greener initiatives across the Trust. It’s been a real team effort.”

She added that the emergency department’s work had influenced other areas of the hospital. 

“Inspired by GreenED conversations, a colleague in Imaging had the idea to instigate the use of reusable tourniquets. A lot of what is in the framework provided by the RCEM requires systemic change, and ED has given us the platform to do just that.”

Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Derriford Hospital, said: “On behalf of the College, a massive congratulations to the team at Derriford who have been awarded a Silver accreditation through our GreenED programme.

“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.”

Dr Daisy Stevens, Speciality Doctor in Emergency Medicine, said the award reflected the commitment of staff. 

“The department has gone above and beyond their normal roles to embed sustainable practices into our everyday work. Achieving this award has truly been a collective effort,” she said.

“The aim of GreenED is to achieve the triple bottom line: delivering better care for patients, in ways that are better for the environment, identifying more sustainable options that reduce waste and deliver meaningful cost savings.”

“This achievement is an important step in our ongoing journey to create a healthcare service that is high-quality, sustainable, and fit for the future. The next challenge is working for Gold.”

The Trust said its wider Green Plan includes reducing carbon emissions, cutting waste and water use, improving air quality and limiting single-use plastics. 

A new Emergency Care Building is also planned, with measures intended to improve environmental performance.

The Silver accreditation places Derriford Hospital among a small number of emergency departments nationally recognised for sustainability work.