Emergency Unit Achieves Bronze Accreditation in GreenED Programme
We’re proud to announce that the Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) has been awarded a bronze accreditation by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s (RCEM) GreenED programme.
GreenED supports Emergency Departments to reduce their environmental impact by embedding sustainable practices into clinical and operational processes.
The programme offers three different levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, each comprising of evidence-based actions that contribute to the NHS’s net zero goals while also delivering cost savings and maintaining high standards of patient care.
The UHW GreenED Group was established in October 2023. and has worked with dedication and innovation to meet the criteria for Bronze accreditation. The team successfully completed 13 key actions required, including:
Recruiting junior clinical fellows with dedicated time for sustainability work
Decommissioning the Entonox manifold
Rolling out the DESC IT project to shut down idle PCs
Eliminating single-use plastic cups and cutlery
Introducing black, green, and confidential waste bins
The team is now focused on achieving a Silver accreditation, with upcoming initiatives such as reducing unnecessary investigations, launching the Gloves Off campaign and reducing use of IV medications where oral is appropriate.
Dr Rachael Harding, consultant specialising in Emergency Medicine and Paediatric Emergency Medicine and site co-lead for the programme, played a pivotal role in driving this work forward. Dr Harding said:
“Thanks to the whole GreenED team and everyone we've worked with across the health board and beyond to achieve this accreditation. We look forward to working towards the Silver award over the coming months and continuing to play our part in helping tackle the climate crisis and providing more sustainable emergency care.”
Dr Ian Higginson, RCEM’s President Elect said:
“On behalf of the College – a huge congratulations to the team at University Hospital of Wales who have implemented a range of environmentally sustainable practices within their Emergency Department through our GreenED programme.
“The accreditation awarded today is a testament to their passion, innovation and drive to reduce emissions, waste and costs to tackle the climate crisis.
“By doing so, they are creating a greener future – not only for the health of our planet, but the health of our patients and we are proud to support them in their environmental mission.”
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic achievement!