New roles boost Swansea Bay's sustainability aspirations
Swansea Bay has delivered another first in sustainability following the creation of three new positions within the health board.
To build on the health board’s commitment to becoming as sustainable as possible throughout its services and sites, three sustainability clinical leads have been appointed.
Elana Owen, Consultant Anaesthetist; Sue West-Jones, Emergency Department Consultant and Alexandra Strong, Jill Rowe Neurology Ambulatory Unit Manager, have been chosen from a strong pool of internal candidates to take on the two-year roles.
Alongside their day-to-day clinical responsibilities, they are also tasked with embedding sustainability across the health board to meet climate change objectives and work closely with colleagues and staff groups.
Kerry Broadhead, Assistant Director of Strategy, said: “The appointment of our first clinical lead roles for sustainability is a commitment to us tackling climate change and the health emergency we face as a consequence.
PICTURED: Elana Owen (left) and Alexandra Strong.
“I warmly congratulate Sue, Alexandra and Elana on their new roles. I urge staff to welcome them into their teams as they reach out to support work to minimise the harmful impacts of the NHS on the environment, the damage climate change is having on health and well-being and the pressure this places on our already stretched resources.”
Each clinical lead has time set aside each week to focus on their new role, which sees them work closely with colleagues in encouraging, promoting and developing ideas to help deliver more sustainable healthcare and, where possible, save the health board money.
Swansea Bay has already delivered a number of high-profile projects. It created the UK's first hospital-owned solar farm, with the site helping power Morriston Hospital.
The health board has also delivered first-for-Wales sustainability schemes, including a recent Green Team Competition, where staff-led projects which reduced emissions and in many cases improved quality or saved money in their departments.
A successful inhaler recycling campaign has also delivered hugely promising results and is set to be rolled out across the country.
The new roles are another significant step in the health board’s vision of reducing its carbon footprint and supporting staff to lead this change.
Anjula Mehta, Deputy Medical Director, said: "The three clinical lead roles provide us with an opportunity to deliver our services in a different way.
PICTURED: Sue West-Jones.
“Sustainable healthcare looks at how we can deliver high-quality care without damaging the environment and actively work to protect and promote good sustainable practice.
“This will ensure it is affordable now and in the future and delivers positive social impact. These roles will ensure we further improve our practices, through working together and demonstrating efficient care for not only our population but the wider planet too.”
Sue West-Jones is one of the three sustainable clinical leads appointed by the health board.
Sue said: “The health board recognises that the Climate Emergency is also a health emergency for every one of us.
“The development of the roles of clinical leads in sustainability is a positive, important step in addressing climate change.
“I am very grateful to have been appointed and look forward to working across the health board to embed climate consideration into every decision taken in all departments.”
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