Spinal implants arrive at The Walton Centre net zero in a bid to improve sustainability

Staff from The Walton Centre, alongside implant manufacturers Abbott UK, have cycled nearly 120 miles to deliver medical implants carbon neutrally. Starting in Solihull, the team picked up spinal cord stimulators, after being transported via electric car, to The Walton Centre for use in future procedures.

The delivery, spanning two days, was to highlight how The Walton Centre is optimising operating theatre lists as part of the hospital’s plans for a greener future.

Sustainability Lead for the hospital Craig Stanton said: “Here at The Walton Centre, we’re really trying to look at all aspects of the outstanding services we provide, and see how we can make them more sustainable.

“While we won’t be able to have fully carbon neutral lists just yet, we will be able to improve elements of these processes to make them environmentally friendly. Following the successful decommissioning of our nitrous oxide plant and the use of Desflurane, we’re piloting anaesthetic masks that use no plastics, a green theatre checklist as well as recyclable consumables and theatre wear, which will be used before, during and after operations to ensure we’re doing things sustainably.”

Lead Operating Department Practitioner, David Phillips joined the team of cyclists delivering the implants to The Walton Centre, he said: “It’s really important to us as a department and wider hospital that we try to improve sustainability across the board. We’re looking at how we use disposable items in theatre and how we can recycle them efficiently or switch to something more sustainable.

“Being able to provide these implants to patients carbon neutrally is incredible – this is where we should, as a hospital, be heading, to ensure a greener future.”

You can find out more about the Trust’s plans here