A CLYDEBANK hospital is leading the way in terms of Scotland's fight against climate change. 

The NHS Golden Jubilee is home to the Centre for Sustainable Delivery’s National Green Theatres Programme, a key initiative which supports the services' aim to meet the Scottish Government's Net Zero target of 2024 by reducing the environmental impact of surgical theatres. 

One of the achievements so far has been the successful removal of Desflurane from the NHS Scotland supply chain.  

Building on this, the programme published 10 actions for implementation in the last year that will save 20,000 tonnes of CO2, with a projected green dividend financial saving of £6.8m.  

Neil Gray MSP, health secretary for the Scottish Government, visited the facility on Thursday afternoon and praised staff for the work that has been undertaken.

(Image: NHS Golden Jubilee) He said: "We have an obligation to our planet and Climate Week demonstrates why that is so important.

"There are a number of events taking place that the Scottish Government are supportive of.

"The NHS has such a large physical footprint in terms of our buildings and making sure they are as sustainable as possible as reducing carbon emissions is vitally important.

"The health service is a material-intensive service and to see the work being done here, in terms of reducing the amount of instruments that need to be used as well as changing the scrubs and headwear.

"It will make them easier for clinicians to wear as well as making everything sustainable."

The Green Theatres team is also working with NHS Scotland Assure and Scottish Government colleagues to set up trials of reusable gowns – with one estimated to be the equivalent of 70 single-use gowns

During a recent five-month trial, orthopaedic surgeons reduced the carbon costs associated with robotic-assisted total knee replacement surgery by 0.39kg per case by moving 16 rarely used instruments to a standby conversion tray.  

In addition, staff at the Golden Jubilee will soon begin testing reusable theatre caps made from Lyocell, an eco-friendly material derived from dissolved pulp.

These caps are designed to phase out single-use plastic alternatives whilst offering enhanced comfort, functionality and safety.   

(Image: NHS Golden Jubilee) And Gray insisted that everyone can make a difference when it comes to tackling climate change.

"I am happy with the contribution of the NHS to this net zero goal at the moment but we can always do more," he continued.

"What I have found here at this hospital is that the innovations that are coming forward are actually enhancements both for treatment and clinicians.

"Sustainability doesn’t have to be a reduction, it can actually improve and innovate the health service."

(Image: Newsquest)Doctor Philip Korsah, national associate clinical director for the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, said: "Events like this are essential to share some work that we are doing.

"It is very much about working with clinicians at the grassroots and their teams to analyse the problems we have in terms of trying to promote sustainability.

"We have improved products and processes while maintaining sustainability which is important."

Gordon James, chief executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, added: “NHS Golden Jubilee is proud to be at the forefront of sustainability, not only within NHS Scotland but on a global scale."