Sustainability in hospitals and health services

There are many challenges facing the health sector, including aging population, chronic disease, major disasters and events. Environmental sustainability is also a big challenge; encompassing energy and water use, procurement, models of care, waste and recycling. Lowering environment impacts can deliver savings and efficiencies, improve staff engagement, improve consumer experiences and contribute to better health outcomes for the whole community. 

The sustainability committee at the Royal Hobart Hospital laid the foundation for better practices with a series of initiatives, but as the work grew, the committee realised it was time for a more a strategic and integrated approach to take the program to the next level. The committee sought funding support from the Climate Change Office and engaged Resonance to prepare a business case for a sustainability strategy, program, and action plan and the creation of a role to lead the work. The focus of our work was around engaging with key internal stakeholders to articulate the key drivers, strategic alignment, options, costs and benefits, to help shape the proposed role and program and where it might sit in the organisation.