Evaluating Actions to Improve Air Quality at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Simpson, Owain; Elliott, Mark; Muller, Catherine; Jones, Tim; Hentsch, Phillippa; Rooney, Daniel; Cowell, Nicole; Bloss, William J.; Bartington, Suzanne E.

Abstract

Air pollution is the single largest environmental risk to human health in the UK, exerting a major healthcare sector burden and exacerbating health and social inequalities. The NHS Long Term Plan commits the healthcare sector to reducing emissions from all sources, however, to date few Acute NHS Trusts have implemented air quality focused sustainability plans. In this case study, we assess potential air quality improvement actions at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, UK as a test case for NHS sustainability actions. We generate an evidenced based, prioritized shortlist of actions to mitigate emissions and protect patients, staff, and local communities from air pollution exposure. The project supports adoption of an evidence-based, contextually relevant, approach to air quality management within healthcare provision. The methodology used could be employed by organizations with similar goals to address environmental concerns.

Citation

Simpson, O., Elliott, M., Muller, C., Jones, T., Hentsch, P., Rooney, D., Cowell, N., Bloss, W. J., & Bartington, S. E. (2022). Evaluating Actions to Improve Air Quality at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Sustainability, 14(18), Article 11128. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811128

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 26, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 6, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Oct 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 30, 2023
• Journal: Sustainability
• Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 18
• Article Number: 11128
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811128
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/24425800
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/18/11128