The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) has been awarded an accreditation by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in its “GreenED” programme.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) advances education and research and sets standards of training and administering examinations. Their “GreenED” programme is an initiative to measure and reduce the environmental impact of hospital Emergency Departments, thus driving environmentally sustainable practices.

Those departments signed up to the programme work towards achieving various evidence-based actions, which also contribute to nationally set net zero targets and enables financial savings, while maintaining or improving patient care.

UHW has been recognised by the RCEM as having achieved “silver” standard.

Participation of sites in Ireland, including UHW, follows collaboration with the HSE’s Climate Action and Sustainability Office and the National Clinical Programme for Emergency Medicine (NCPEM) in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), supported by SPARK Innovation Funding.

The HSE’s Spark Innovation Programme is a frontline, staff-led initiative that seeks to support, promote and recognise innovation amongst healthcare staff.

Ben O’ Sullivan (Chief Executive Officer, University Hospital Waterford) says he’s delighted that the contribution of UHW has been picked out and paid tribute to the “GreenED” programme group onsite, which was led out by Consultant in Emergency Medicine Orla Kelly and Dr. Bianca van der Linde of the Emergency Medicine team.

Congratulting University Hospital Waterford, Dr. Ian Higginson (President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine) said:

“This summer, in some parts of the UK and Ireland we have seen first-hand the impact that man-made climate change can have. As Emergency Medicine clinicians, we see how this effects our patients and so it fills me with hope that colleagues across the world are taking matters into their own hands. Tackling climate change is more important now than ever. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine are proud to support clinicians to do their part and this silver accreditation reflects the hard work and innovation of the team in UHW, who have worked to reduce emissions and waste.”

Roisín Breen, Programme Manager for HSE’s Climate and Sustainability Programme, added:

“We are delighted to see continued progress across Irish Emergency Departments (EDs) and Injury Units (IUs) through the RCEM ‘GreenED’ accreditation programme. Including UHW, a total of five EDs and IUs nationally have now been recognised for their commitment to sustainable healthcare. A further four sites have just commenced their accreditation journey and we look forward to more coming on board.”