Sustainable solutions for the NHS
We’re helping industry develop environmentally-friendly, cost-effective technologies to support NHS sustainability. Our focus is on reducing medical gas emissions, cutting waste, tackling inhaler impact, and increasing recycling. Building on progress already made in lowering emissions, we’re expanding efforts to introduce more sustainable solutions into the NHS in the South West.
Building a greener, more cost-effective NHS
NHS services need to achieve both financial and environmental sustainability to ensure a healthier future. While medical innovations aim to improve care, they often increase costs. Careful evaluation is needed to ensure the benefits of a new technology do not exceed their costs, including their impact on the environment. Our approach integrates both priorities – promoting cost-effective solutions while considering environmental impact and will be integrated across the research themes of the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Sustainable Innovation.
Integrating sustainability into NHS research and development
By assessing the affordability, investment potential, and environmental impact of new medical technologies early on we can ensure that cost-effective and sustainable innovations are prioritised. We work with NHS networks to integrate sustainability with innovation and are setting up an Intellectual Property advisory group, and running workshops on Intellectual Property strategies. We’re also creating an innovation accelerator with SETsquared – a business incubator collaboration between six universities – connecting innovators with funding and mentorship, and offering training on sustainable entrepreneurship to researchers and innovators.
Cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for the NHS
The transition to a sustainable future presents a major opportunity for industry to develop products that reduce the NHS’s carbon footprint, improve health, or both. We’re combining our expertise in sustainable innovation and cost-effectiveness to ensure new technologies are both financially viable and environmentally beneficial. We’re supporting industry to develop impactful, market-ready HealthTech solutions by prioritising innovations that are cost-effective for the NHS or commercially viable for the public while also contributing to environmental goals.
