NHS Lothian is expanding its programme to deliver a net zero NHS and improve long-term sustainability by introducing new roles and extending its previous landmark fellow position.

A year on since NHS Lothian introduced the first ever Environmental Sustainability Medical Education Fellow in Scotland to help lead on efforts to address the climate crisis, the board has committed to continuing to fund the position into 2024.

The role aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and support managers and clinical staff to work together to make services more sustainable.

Newly appointed Dr Kate Mitchell (pictured) will take over the work begun by Dr Shauna Golden.

Dr Mitchell will be linking NHS Lothian’s Sustainability Team with clinical services and specialties to take forward projects that cover sustainable prescribing – including lowering the carbon footprint of inhalers adopted across Scotland – and the national green theatres programme which is looking to achieve net zero for anaesthetic gases by 2027.

Last year, Dr Golden told healthandcare.scot that, beyond supporting quality improvement projects within NHS Lothian, she enjoyed delivering educational content at the University of Edinburgh: 

“The part that really inspires me is in the education components, with doctors in training and in the University of Edinburgh through these CEP[clinical educator program] modules.

“You’re supported on both sides to lead education sessions to help clinicians and educators develop quality improvement projects and sustainability.

“I love teaching groups but also finding that individual light in people who have felt they're working in isolation, with amazing projects ideas but are hindered by capacity or already working full time clinically.”

The work that Dr Mitchell will now continue as part of NHS Scotland’s wider Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy introduced last year.

Introducing new roles

Beyond extending Lothian’s Medical Education Fellowship, the health board says it is “thrilled” to now be introducing a new energy support officer and three new energy managers.

Forming part of the NHS Lothian’s wider sustainability efforts, the new roles will help advance sustainability work across sites and services in Edinburgh.

Daniel Mill, NHS Lothian’s Energy and Technical Sustainability Lead said this represents an “exciting moment” in the board’s sustainability journey.

These new positions are set to be undertaken by Nasir M. Nasir, Ikechukwu Udechukwu, Basanti Narine and Sarah Bariqua AbdMalek.

Jane Hopton, NHS Lothian’s Sustainability Lead, said:

“The team bring a strong mix of expertise and experience to NHS Lothian as we work to play our part in the global challenge.

“A key aim of the team will be to engage with sites and services across NHS Lothian to ensure that we take every opportunity to reduce our carbon and energy consumption whilst continuing to provide excellent patient care.”

NHS Lothian’s Energy and Technical Sustainability Lead, Mr Mill added:

“With the development of this team, we aim to increase activity at site level, with a clear value in engaging staff across NHS Lothian to actively participate in our sustainability initiatives.”

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