Primary care practices earn sustainability award
All three of the island’s primary care practices have earned a sustainability award.
The Royal College of General Practitioners’ Bronze Greener Impact for Health award recognises general practices that have implemented specific actions to enhance environmental sustainability.
Dr Victoria Toumazi, pictured, from Queens Road Medical Practice, the chairwoman of Greener Practice Guernsey, set up the group two years ago as a sub-branch of the UK national group.
‘Over the last two years we have grown in members and now have membership from all three general practices, Choices, Public Health and the Medical Specialist Group,’ she said.
‘All three primary practices have set up their own “green teams” and have been working through items in the green impact for health toolkit which is a road map in sustainable primary care initiatives.
‘These bronze awards are a fantastic first step on our journey to high-quality sustainable healthcare.’
Healthcare Group, Guernsey’s largest general practice, has sought to reduce its energy consumption, travel and medicine waste, including using different waste collection bags which reduce the need for clinical waste incineration.
‘We are thrilled to receive this recognition. It reflects all the hard work of our team, but we must not stop there,’ said Dr Becky Mitchinson.
‘We encourage patients to use “greener prescriptions” by only ordering what they need and encouraging lifestyle changes as part of their treatment plans.’
The new nurse-led asthma clinic in St Martin’s is currently promoting better asthma care in order to reduce the demand for inhalers, which make up more than 10% of primary care’s carbon footprint.
Healthcare Group is also holding monthly beach cleans with Guernsey Mind and the Clean Earth Trust.
