News

The NHS Western Isles Climate Emergency and Sustainability Report, for 2022/23, has been released. This report summarises the progress the organisation has made in meeting national targets to deliver a net-zero carbon emissions service and provide sustainable healthcare.

The Scottish Government has made responding to the global climate emergency a high priority and the NHS Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy (2022-26) sets out aims, targets and actions to work towards the development of an environmentally and socially sustainable health service that is resilient to the locked-in impacts of climate change.

NHS Western Isles is committed to tackling the climate emergency by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing more sustainable healthcare. The NHS Western Isles Sustainability Group has released this, the second annual report, which can be found on the NHS Western Isles website (https://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/about-us/publications/).  It is structured around the national strategy with five essential areas of development targeted for action. These cover reducing energy, waste and travel emissions, reducing the impacts of the supply chain, creating a sustainable care pathway and working with communities and partners towards our common goal. Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Assessment work is also ongoing, to ensure we are able to plan for the upcoming challenges climate change will bring. We are also committed to continuous monitoring and innovation.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said, “I am pleased that we are able to demonstrate progress and achievement in this critical area for us all, and generations to come.  We will continue our efforts with this a key priority.  Afterall, we cannot have healthy people on a sick planet “

For more information, contact wi.sustainability@nhs.scot.