Hats off for sustainable-savvy Yumna following graduation

A Swansea Bay trainee clinical scientist is spearheading the charge for sustainable change after graduating from a national leadership academy.

Yumna Hassan completed a seven-month programme within the Future Generations Leadership Academy, designed for people aged 18–30 who are passionate about driving positive change in Wales.

PICTURED: Yumna Hassan with fellow graduates of the Future Generations Leadership Academy.

Yumna said: “More than anything, the academy helped me see the bigger picture - how I can contribute to building healthier, more compassionate systems that truly serve people and the planet.”

She is now putting the academy lessons into practice in her role within the health board’s Medical Equipment Management Services team.

The academy focused on understanding and applying the goals and ways of working of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (WBFGA), which aims to improve social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing.

The course featured talks from politicians, economists, charity leaders and social entrepreneurs - all sharing practical strategies for delivering sustainable, long-term change. Yumna also attended conferences and built networks across sectors.

Yumna said: “While my specialism is in clinical engineering, my role extends well beyond medical device risk management and safety.

“I contribute to broader quality improvement, service development, incident investigations and audits - essentially any area where clinical engineering expertise can drive meaningful, measurable change.

PICTURED: Yumna with some of the medical equipment she works with.

“Our work is deeply integrated across the healthcare system, combining technical knowledge, systems thinking and project leadership. Clinical Scientists are trained to be highly versatile, and that makes our role both dynamic and crucial.

“The academy helped me see how my work in clinical engineering can align with broader system goals, particularly around social prescribing, wellbeing and sustainability.”

Yumna is now sharing her enthusiasm and desire to become more sustainable within her area of work with her colleagues.

She said: “My passion for sustainability is rooted in a strong belief that everyone deserves to live with dignity, physically, mentally, and environmentally.

“This led to my interest in social prescribing, which brings these elements together and addresses the broader social determinants of health.

“Social prescribing is a powerful tool for system-wide wellbeing and community resilience, and it’s this integrated, compassion-based approach that inspires much of my current work.

“Within clinical engineering, we have a real opportunity to lead on sustainability in healthcare technology management, and we’re embracing that responsibility.

PICTURED: Yumna works for the health board’s Medical Equipment Management Services team.

“Our department has taken deliberate steps to reduce our environmental impact by introducing recycling bins and battery disposal points, removing small individual waste bins to encourage sustainable habits, and successfully passing Green Audits.

“We're also looking into sustainable procurement and safe reuse or recycling of medical equipment wherever appropriate.”