Australia's largest sustainable healthcare network, Global Green & Healthy Hospitals Pacific (GGHH Pacific) is delighted to welcome the NSW Ministry of Health as an official member.
NSW Health will establish a new Climate Risk & Net Zero Unit within its Patient Experience and System Performance Division. The new unit will be tasked with scaling up and coordinating environmental sustainability action across the public health system in NSW.
NSW Health has also established a steering committee, comprising a range of leaders from across the Ministry of Health, HealthShare NSW, Health Infrastructure, Agency for Clinical Innovation, Local Health Districts, and Primary Health Network representatives, who will guide this work.
NSW Health now joins health departments in Victoria, Queensland, ACT and WA as official members of GGHH Pacific, founded and coordinated by Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA). The NSW public health system operates more than 220 public hospitals throughout the state across a network of local health districts, specialty networks and non-government affiliated health organizations.
GGHH Pacific has 127 members, representing over 2,219 hospitals and health services, all working to reduce their environmental footprint and promote public and environmental health. GGHH Pacific is part of a global GGHH network, with over 1,600 members in 78 countries, representing over 60,000 hospitals, health services and organizations.
Matthew Daly, Deputy Secretary, Patient Experience and System Performance, NSW Ministry of Health, said NSW Health is committed to developing a modern, high-quality, climate resilient and sustainable health system for NSW.
“The NSW health system will initially focus on two of the Global Green and Healthy Hospital program’s goals – energy and food – to reduce our environmental footprint and improve population health,” Mr Daly said.
“By joining the GGHH network, NSW Health gains access to national and international expertise and resources that will help build our resilience and support a health sector that contributes to improved public and environmental health.
"We’re pleased to welcome the NSW Ministry of Health as a Global Green and Healthy Hospitals member and commend their establishment of a Climate Risk & Net Zero Unit."
CAHA Sustainable Healthcare Program Manager and GGHH Pacific Network Coordinator, Dr Stefanie Carino, welcomed NSW joining other states and territories in joining the network.
"Healthcare produces about 7% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, driving dangerous climate change and threatening health and lives. To see NSW Health taking strong action to reduce emissions, preparing for the impacts of climate change, tackling inequality and protecting health is encouraging. It also recognises the work of countless individuals driving this work across the system.
"GGHH looks forward to working with NSW Health to achieve their sustainability goals, while protecting the health of their population and environment."
This article was first published by the Climate and Health Alliance.