The Walton Centre celebrates first day of enhanced theatre practice to improve sustainability

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s held its’ first ever ‘green surgical list’ in a bid to improve sustainability. The theatre team looked at all aspects of practice in each patient’s journey through surgery in a day, and optimised elements where possible to reduce their carbon footprint.

Each case on the theatre list for the day was assessed for waste management and how different elements can be switched out for greener, more carbon neutral options.

One of the most important reductions in CO₂ emissions was switching to Total Intravenous Anaesthetic (TIVA), which can significantly reduce carbon output. Other elements such as reuseable surgical hats and gel pads for patient positioning were used. The teams also worked hard to ensure that patient experience remained the same or improved.

On the day, the procedures were carried out by Consultant Neurosurgeon Miss Deepti Bhargava. She said: “Now more than ever it’s important to consider the environment in everything we do. There are little things that we have implemented here that can make a huge impact on our carbon footprint, as well as bigger things like reuseable packs which can be cleaned and used again. It’s been great to see the teams all pull together around this worthwhile cause.”

On average, the team estimates that nearly 100KgCOE2 was saved over the day, a significant reduction when compared to national neurosurgical data.

Sustainability Lead Craig Stanton said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to carry out the first day of a greener theatre list this week. Each NHS Trust has to become net-zero for the care we control by 2040, so striking out now will make such a difference. Already we have learning on how to improve the pathways further and make The Walton Centre an even greener place for patients and do our bit for the environment.”  

This project also relates to staff cycling 120 miles alongside implant manufacturers Abbott UK to deliver spinal implants carbon neutrally in October 2023. You can read the full story here.

 

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Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

 

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611