NHSScotland Sustainability Conference 2019

 Event Description

The fourth NHSScotland Sustainability Conference 2019 was hosted by NHS Health Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland and the Scottish Managed Sustainable Health Network (SMaSH).

In light of Scottish Government’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, this year’s Sustainability Conference 2019 provided an opportunity for staff from all disciplines across the NHS to engage with and contribute to the development of the NHSScotland Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy 2020-25, to be launched in March 2020.

The world is changing due to climate change and NHSScotland supports the Scottish Government’s commitment to make Scotland a net zero greenhouse gas emissions country by 2045. Together we can help create a healthier environment for Our NHS, Our People and Our Planet.

This year’s speakers

 Malcolm Wright, Director General Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of NHSScotland set the ambition for the conference.

Plenary sessions from Dr Fiona Adshead, a high profile wellbeing and public health leader with a track record of reframing thinking and developing innovative strategy and programmes at the heart of business and government, and Dr Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh will provide inspiration and insight on wellbeing and sustainability issues.

The lead on the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy for NHSScotland, Dr Rebecca Campbell, Public Health Registrar, Scottish Managed Sustainable Health Network (SMaSH), set the scene for an afternoon session which facilitated input from delegates into the strategy.

Breakout Sessions

As well as inspirational speakers, we offered breakout sessions linked to the three NHSScotland Sustainability Action themes of Our NHS, Our People, and Our Planet. These  spanned best practice governance for sustainability across the NHS and supporting sustainability policies, nature and biodiversity, sustainable healthcare, adaptation to climate change and inspiring behavioural change. 

The programme presented best-practice examples and expert views from across Scotland that explored how the delivery of high quality patient services come with essential sustainability co-benefits that support the drive to a greener and healthier NHSScotland.