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Climate change is a health emergency that has a direct and immediate impact on the public, patients, and the NHS. The effects of climate change, such as intense heatwaves, storms, flooding, and the spread of infectious diseases, are getting worse, and urgent action is necessary to prevent further harm. Although the NHS has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint, it still has a responsibility to cut its emissions and build resilience to climate change into its care provision. The "For a Greener NHS" campaign was launched to set an evidence-based plan for the NHS to reach net zero emissions by 2040 for the care provided and by 2045 across its entire scope.
The consumption and disposal practices in the NHS have implications for the environment, public health, and finances. Implementing simple changes can yield significant impacts on health, the environment, and financial savings that can be invested back into patient care (NHS, 2020).
The NHS is still the largest public sector emitter of greenhouse gases, despite making progress in reducing its relative carbon footprint. The scale of the problem is highlighted by the comparison to 800,000 space shuttle launches, and more needs to be done to address the environmental impact of healthcare. Clinical waste produced by the NHS is equivalent to over 400 loaded jumbo jets and has a major impact on the environment, leading to high running costs and carbon emissions (NHS, 2018).
Modern, well-managed incinerators can effectively manage waste and minimize potential health risks, but by-products of the incineration process may contain harmful pollutants and contribute to background pollution levels (Department of Health, 2014). There is significant public concern about the health impacts of living near hazardous waste incinerators, as air pollution can negatively impact vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Waste incinerators are designed to generate electricity and are seen as an alternative to landfills, but they have been associated with emitting harmful pollutants such as POPs, which can harm human and environmental health. Newer technologies claim to be more environmentally friendly, but waste incinerators still produce pollutants, and studies have shown adverse health outcomes in populations living near them (Tait et al., 2019). It is important to consider the association between waste sites and indicators of overall mental health, which may not be as severe but could have a significant impact on the overall disease burden of a community (Department of Health,2014).
The clinical waste strategy aims to assist NHS providers in improving their waste management practices achieving the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The strategy emphasizes the importance of reducing waste and improving compliance, which can lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits. The strategy also encourages innovation, better data use, and staff engagement and training to help reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the strategy highlights the importance of finding ways to reuse, remanufacture, or recycle materials to minimize waste. Implementing a new waste management strategy over the next decade can have significant benefits, such as saving the NHS £11 million per year in recurring costs and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 30%, equivalent to removing 2 million road miles per year (NHS, 2018).
This health impact assessment aims to assess the potential health effects of Zero Medical Waste Management. It aims to reduce medical waste generated by healthcare facilities to zero and promote environmentally sustainable practices. The Zero Medical Waste Management scheme is a promising initiative that can contribute to reducing the healthcare sector's environmental footprint and improve public health outcomes. This HIA will assess the potential health impacts of the project and provide recommendations for safe and effective implementation. The findings can be used to inform decision-making processes and ensure that the project is implemented in a manner that is consistent with public health goals.