The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) has been awarded Bronze accreditation through the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s 'GreenED' programme.
GreenED is a national initiative supporting Emergency Departments to reduce their environmental impact by completing evidence-based actions focused on emissions reduction, waste management and sustainable practice.
UHND ED is the first department within the Trust to achieve this accreditation.
The work was led locally by Kate George and Thomas Boase, alongside the wider ED team, who implemented a range of environmentally sustainable improvements while ensuring patient care remained the priority.
Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “On behalf of the College – a massive congratulations to the team at University Hospital of North Durham who have been awarded a Bronze accreditation through our GreenED programme.
“This accomplishment has been driven by a dedicated, innovative team, who have reduced emissions, as well as waste and saved costs - all to tackle the climate crisis.
“A healthier planet means healthier patients, and we have a duty to act to protect both. As a College, we are proud to support Emergency Departments across the UK, and beyond, in playing their part to become more environmentally friendly.”
This achievement reflects the Trust’s wider commitment to environmental sustainability and supporting national NHS net zero ambitions.
