Sustainable use of medicines, equipment and anaesthetic gases

We will reduce our direct and embodied greenhouse gas emissions, such as that caused by harmful levels of anaesthetic gases, by becoming more sustainable in our use of medicines and medical equipment, such as meter-dosed inhalers. We will also get better at reducing, reusing and refurbishing a range of equipment like walking aids quickly and safely.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

We have started a new initiative to reduce the proportion of desflurane to sevoflurane used in surgery. By the end of March 2022, we also significantly reduce the levels of nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases emitted through inhalers, by promoting clinically appropriate prescribing of inhalers with lower greenhouse gas emissions overall.

Further reading and inspiration

• Putting anaesthetic-generated emissions to bed
• Royal Collage of Anaesthetists: environment and sustainability
• Costs of switching to low global warming potential inhalers. An economic and carbon footprint analysis of NHS prescription data in England
• NHS to reuse more medical equipment
• Warp It: Find, give away, or loan office furniture, equipment and other resources