Green Prescribing
NHS Dumfries and Galloway has an agreed objective to be a net zero greenhouse gas emissions health service by 2040.
Climate change presents a serious risk to the health of people around the world and has been described by the Lancet Commission on Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change as ‘the biggest global health threat of the 21st century’.
As medicines account for at least 25% of NHS carbon emissions it is important, not just for our planet but also for our own health, that we take action to reduce this.
What comes under Green Prescribing?
The Green Prescribing Group is supporting a number of ideas including work around:
- The gases used in theatres and inhalers
- Reducing medicines waste
- Promoting medicines reviews
Dr Emily Kennedy Climate change and sustainability lead pharmacist, Scottish Government and Cluster Lead Pharmacist with NHS Dumfries and Galloway says that “everyone can do their bit – however small and it would be great to see Dumfries and Galloway leading the way to net zero”.
Remember –
‘Little by little, a little becomes a lot’ – Tanzanian proverb
For more information around ways in which you can help, please access the resources and videos within this web page.