We previously shared that Dr John Harden, National Clinical Lead for Quality and Safety had become the new Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the sustainable care workstream within the NHSScotland Sustainability Action Programme.
We catch up with Dr Harden about his role and what taking climate action means to him.
Hi John, what does taking climate action mean to you?
“As a dad with two daughters, I have really had to think deeply about my attitude towards environmental sustainability and the world we have created for the next generation. By being mindful about the way we live and the decisions we take we can, as a group, have a significant impact.
“All of us working in NHSScotland and in Scottish Government should reflect on what we can do to limit our impact on the environment. This could be simple things like recycling our rubbish, being thoughtful in our use of PPE and switching off the lights.
“Looking after the environment for me means I am also protecting the health of our communities, now and in the future. This isn’t all just about weather – it’s about the quality of the air we breathe, the safety of our food and water, and, of course, the resilience of our health services.
“In healthcare, we’re in a unique position to lead by example. Every small step we take, from reducing waste to improving energy efficiency, contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Can you tell us a bit about your role, and how the work of your team is helping to make NHS Scotland more sustainable?
“As the national clinical lead for quality and safety, my role is to ensure that patients receive safe and effective care.
“As part of this remit, I am also the Senior Responsible Officer for the Sustainable Care workstream which focuses on rethinking how we deliver care to reduce our environmental impact. This is in areas such as prescribing and formulary, medical gases, and Green Theatres.
“In the short time I’ve been involved with the workstream, I’ve seen how by embedding sustainability into our quality and safety initiatives we can improve care while also building a greener, more resilient NHS.”
How can people get involved?
“As I said, small actions collectively make a big impact.
“We all need to consider how we can bring a sustainability mindset into our work because, by doing this, we will be strengthening our healthcare system for the long term. You can be involved by introducing greener processes for your team and by joining local groups already established in your area.
“Within the NHS and Scottish Government there is work underway and networks that have been established around sustainability. Tap into these networks and became part of the movement for change.”
Find out more about sustainable care
To receive news about sustainable care workstream networking events, please email Carol.Campbell@gov.scot or Sonja.Cox@gov.scot
You can also read more about the work of the sustainable care team through the case studies, which were published on the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH) website to coincide with Health Day at COP29: