Cumbria CVS Green – No8 October 2024
October 13, 2024
Welcome back to Cumbria CVS Green!
In our eighth blog post, Ludger Barthelmes, Consultant Surgeon at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS FT, introduces us to his colleagues, volunteers and others involved in an initiative to combine sustainability and waste reduction with improved communication with patients and among staff.
Read on for links to useful resources, information and news, updates on our own climate commitment, blog posts from colleagues about what they’re doing (in a work capacity and privately) to minimise environmental impact and more.
If you have any suggestions about what you’d like to see in our regular updates, let us know! Contact us by emailing info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
You can find our what we’re doing to minimise our environmental impact and find details of organisations supporting positive environmental action in Cumbria on our Climate Commitment page here
Catch up on our other blog posts here
(W)Hat a great idea!
Through its day to day activities, the NHS makes a big contribution to the UK’s carbon footprint.
The impact of global warming on public health is on a par with Covid. Within the hospital setting, operating theatres are an energy and carbon-intensive environment. In November 2022 the four Royal Colleges of Surgeons declared a climate emergency and made a number of recommendations to reduce the carbon footprint of theatres such as waste reduction, reduced use of harmful anaesthetic gases and increased use of re-usables – as opposed to disposable, single-use items and avoidable plastics.
The theatre teams at North Cumbria Integrated Care take environmental sustainability very seriously…
Chloe
I am a resident doctor. I would like to pursue a career in trauma and orthopaedics. I looked at the use of textile reusable hats instead of throw-away paper-based scrub caps in the Cumberland Infirmary.
At a snapshot survey I noted one third of theatre staff in the Cumberland Infirmary wearing their own textile reusable hats in one third of the lists. Single use paper-based scrub caps are produced in the Far East. The manufacture involves a number of toxic agents as well as the use of wood contributing to deforestation. Single-use hats are shipped in from the Far East.
Transport costs and emissions are on the increase. Conservative estimates based on the number of theatres and surgical activity in the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital suggest a reduction of 2.6 tonnes of eC02 / year if replacing single-use disposable hats with reusable textile hats.
Andrea
I am a theatre nurse in Whitehaven. I like sewing e.g. patchwork etc.
With the shortage of PPE during Covid I started sewing surgical hats using fabric to replace single-use paper hats. I have sewn 800 hats for my colleagues in theatres in West Cumberland Hospital so far. Sometimes, my colleagues choose and bring the fabric. At other times I make them hats to suit the occasion – Christmas-themed hats around Christmas and children’s’ favourite characters for children’s’ lists. When I start my shift in theatres in West Cumberland Hospital, it puts a smile on my face to see my colourful hats on my colleagues’ heads. It makes my day.
Jane
I am a theatre nurse in the Cumberland Hospital. I attended a talk by the widow of the late Dr Granger, a junior doctor who sadly died from cancer a few years ago.
Dr Granger noted the difference it made when staff introduced themselves to her by name and role during palliative treatment for her advanced cancer. In her remaining months she started the campaign “Hello, my name is _”. I was quite touched when I attended the talk by her widow where he explained the campaign of his late wife. On my return I made myself textile surgical hats for use at work embroidering my name in front so that patients know who I am and who they are dealing with.
Ingrid
I am a consultant anaesthetist. Evidence from human factor studies suggests that theatre emergencies (cardiac arrests, life-threatening bleeding…) are better handled when giving instructions to named members of the theatre team e.g. “John – 4 units of blood, please; Mary – the defib trolley, please…”
It is well known that anaesthetists and surgeons often don’t know the names of nurses and non-medical staff working in theatres. In my previous hospital we introduced textile surgical hats with name and role embroidered on the front in obstetric theatres for caesarean sections. They proved very popular with mothers and their partners who cannot distinguish staff behind masks wearing scrubs.
Caroline
I am a scrub nurse in theatres in Carlisle. I like sewing.
In the past I made handbags and put them up for auction amongst my colleagues in theatres to raise funds for the hospital breast unit. My colleagues like the pattern and the fabric of the hats I made for myself. I am very happy to make my colleagues their own personal hats of their favourite fabric and pattern.
Diane
I work at the Carlisle train station (first from right) where I am also the public relations officer.
In the past I often facilitated the Carlisle Ukuleles and the brass ensemble ‘Oompah Fünf’ busking at the train station raising funds for the hospital. On this occasion they were fundraising to cover the costs sewing surgical hats from recycled material. I like sewing myself, my mother is a seamstress. We have now joined the volunteer hat makers. Rail services play an important role for more sustainable transport solutions. I am delighted to be able to contribute to this initiative also in my professional role.
Diane
I am part of the Carlisle Ukuleles (second from left). We regularly play with the ‘Oompah Fünf’ at the train station to fundraise for hospital equipment.
When we were told that we are playing for equipment to sew textile surgical hats for theatres, my fellow Ukulele players disclosed my previous work in a textile factory. Before long I found myself behind my sewing machine. The rest is history, as they say…
Jonathan
After a temporary job with a furniture maker I started a career as a wood turner. I am passionate about the environment and sustainability and source all my material locally.
The idea of sewing surgical hats from recycled material is very much in line with my own approach of sourcing wood for further processing. I am delighted to be part of this initiative to make wooden compartments to store surgical hats in theatres.
Steve – chairman of the board
There is no doubt that both the Trust and the NHS operate in difficult financial circumstances.
The climate emergency demands urgent action which affects many procedures in our hospitals. Theatre staff are to be commended for their creative approach to introduce more sustainable working practices. I was delighted to participate when asked to give my last shirt as material for recycled theatre hats.
Ingrid
The Trust currently spends £12,091 / year on single use hats ending in clinical waste.
We are working with ‘People First’ – an organisation supporting people with learning difficulties and autism – and the Trust’s ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme to create job opportunities for people struggling to find work on the open job market.
We hope to employ staff – funded by the savings of no longer buying single use hats going to waste – to wash named reusable hats with dedicated laundry equipment and sort them in the personalised compartment cupboards which Jonny is making for us.
My daughter benefits greatly from other events laid on by ‘People First’.
How YOU can help
Despite keeping the costs to a minimum by using material from charity shops, money continues to be a hurdle to progress our project. The amount of money needed to buy specialised laundry equipment to comply with NHS hygiene standards exceeds what well-wishers tend to have as spare in their pockets when passing us by at the Carlisle railway station…
If you could make a donation to the hospital charitable fund for this purpose, you can use this link to the Trust’s Just Giving www.justgiving.com/ncuhnhs Please specify ‘reusable hats’ by opening the link “A message of support” before confirming the donation.
At present our volunteer hat makers keep up with the demand for reusable hats. There may be a situation in future, when demand may suddenly peak. At that point it may be useful if there were additional ‘sewing bees’ who could join the hatmakers. If this could be you, please get in touch with ludger.barthelmes@ncic.nhs.uk.
Furthermore, there is a possibility that the number of compartment cupboards surpasses what a single person can provide. If you had any joiners’ skills, these may also come in handy. Please make yourself known using the same email address.
You may not have any spare in your purse or on your account, but you are still very welcome to spare a moment to listen in or when you see us next at the station…
Training and Events
Explore Climate
17 October, Online. We know all of those involved with SMEs are super busy so it’s tricky to take time out for extra courses. W&F Green Enterprise Hub and CAfS have created a two hour overview of climate change science, impacts and actions small businesses in the Westmorland & Furness area. It is open to Social Enterprises too.
Electric Vehicles Made Easy – Free Webinar
Monday 21 October. Get the low down on electric vehicles at this CAfS free webinar. With a panel of local EV drivers and experts, we’ll cover the benefits, costs, options and myths surrounding EV technology, batteries and charging.
Waste Less Food Together
Thursday 24 Oct, Workington. A day choc full – finding out what’s going on in the world of climate and nature in the west of Cumbria, and an interactive session on tackling food waste at home, useful for anyone working with local communities on saving money, eating well, planning meals and reducing waste.
Find out more and book your place here
Carbon Management and Solutions Training
Thursday 7 November, Online. If you’re committed to reducing your organisation’s carbon footprint, but not sure where to start, then this session is for you. Get help to adopt a robust approach to net zero and develop a decarbonisation plan. With a few dates to choose from, there’s no excuse!
See more dates, details, and book here
Sustainability Conference
Wednesday 13 November, Rheged Centre. In collaboration with ICAEW North West, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is hosting our first Sustainability Conference at Rheged on 13th November from 9am to 4pm.
Join us for a day of inspiration, listening and learning. We’ve a jam packed programme of speakers sharing their net zero/sustainability journey including Pirelli, The Rebuild Site, Cumberland Building Society, Shed 1 Distillery and The Yan. Both councils will give an update on their sustainability progress and plans, the conference also includes networking opportunities, lunch and refreshments, and ends with a panel discussion.
Accelerating the Green Transition – a public sector Net Zero event
21 November, Online. The transition to net zero represents a significant opportunity for the UK, with a projected £1 trillion market for British businesses by 2030. Join this online conference to explore the critical role the public sector plays in leading the change towards a sustainable future.
With expert panellist discussing ongoing projects in electric vehicles and the transport sector, explore the future of NetZero through alternative fuels, and highlight exciting innovations in AI and green technology. Discover how the UK can collaborate across all sectors to achieve NetZero.
News and Information
Art Gene – Low Carbon Barrow
There are a number of short clips on our site exploring the projects and programmes from Art Gene. From renovating and retrofitting the ‘Full of Noises’ venue to an energy efficient review of ‘Dandy’s Furniture Store’. Their projects are based in the local community, and reach a variety of SME’s.
Council launches new ‘Go Green’ collection in libraries
Westmorland and Furness Council’s libraries launch new ‘Go Green’ collection of books aimed at inspiring local community to take meaningful climate action.
Electric Vehicles Made Easy Survey
Electric Vehicles are the future, and CAfS wants to make sure Cumbria is ready for the transition. Electric Vehicles Made Easy is designed to support Cumbrians navigate the switch to EVs and they need your help!
Whether you are an EV driver, thinking of getting one, or don’t know where to start, share your views and experiences through their quick survey and be in with a chance of winning a £50 Basecamp North Lakes voucher.
Clean Air Day impact report
Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign. It is a galvanising moment, inspiring people to change their behaviour and demand change to reduce air pollution. The campaign returned in June 2024, providing a platform for people to use their voices to call on the government to clean up our air.
Read the Clean Air Day 2024 Impact Report to learn more about the amazing actions that took place across the country for Clean Air Day and why they are so important.
Foundations and trusts need to take more risk to tackle climate change, conference hears
Foundations and trusts need to take more risks to address climate change issues, attendees at the Association of Charitable Foundations’ (ACF) annual conference heard in September.
Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, also said that foundations should have some funds dedicated to addressing climate change issues.
She said there is an “enormous risk” that the foundation sector is being too cautious by focusing so heavily on the governance of funding recipients.
CAfS/Zero Carbon Cumbria Community Climate Grants
The team at Zero Carbon Cumbria have £50,000 of grant funding for community groups to develop renewable energy schemes or tackle other climate issues such as energy use, local food growing, waste reduction and promotion of the circular economy, to sustainable transport options. They’re hosting a free webinar on Monday 14th October at 7pm to help groups apply.
Details on the grants and the event are here. Applications close midnight on Sunday 24 November 2024.
Podcast episode with with Clare Atkinson of Nu Green
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce were joined on their podcast by Clare Atkinson, Founder and Director of R&D at NuGreen, a sustainability consultancy researching the use of plastic in the health care sector and how resources from medical waste can be recovered and recycled.
