Oral & Poster Presentations Archive

UK & Ireland Prostate Brachytherapy Conference 2022

Abstract number 3 

The Impact of Environmental Sustainability Issues on Brachytherapy Practice 

Lowe G, Newton V
Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, London 

PURPOSE: It is well known that we face a climate and environmental crisis, and many organisations such as WHO and the UN are warning that sustainability and healthcare issues are connected. It does not therefore seem appropriate to practise without a wider consideration of how what we do impacts on the sustainability problem. 

METHODS: The NHS recognises this and has launched the “Greener NHS” initiative; however, many staff are either unaware of this, or have not fully considered its implications for how we work. This poster summarises the NHS response to the environmental crisis. 

RESULTS: Surveys of NHS staff at two centres have shown that sustainability is a major concern for over 90% of staff (one survey returning 91% of staff regarding sustainability as “extremely” or “very” important, and no respondents rating sustainability as “not at all important”), but one about which they have limited knowledge and do not feel empowered to act on (only 10% of staff were “extremely” or “very” aware of the “Greener NHS” initiative and net zero ambitions, and 82% did not find it easy to make changes to improve sustainability at work). 

CONCLUSION: Experience to date suggests that there is a need to stimulate the discussion within hospital departments in order to ensure that appropriate priority is given to sustainability issues. Staff need to be aware of the “Greener NHS” initiative, and the opportunities to improve sustainability within NHS departments. This poster hopes to inform and stimulate discussion on how we should respond as a brachytherapy community.