Hospitals becoming the leaders in tackling air pollution can show what we should expect from every workplace
Air pollution is a public health crisis...As providers and protectors of our nation's health, hospitals play a crucial role in solving this problem. That is why I so wholeheartedly support this Clean Air Hospital Framework, that Great Ormond Street Hospital has helped create, as it provides a clear, structured way for a hospital to address air pollution.
Professor Stephen Holgate, MD
DSc CSc FRCP FRCPath FIBiol FBMS FMed Sci CBE
Trustee, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
This Clean Air Hospital Framework sets out the vision for what it means to be a clean air hospital and how to get there, helping to reduce levels of air pollution and helping people to protect their health.
It enables hospitals to identify their current level of performance on tackling air pollution and to develop an action plan to improve air quality in and around the hospital, to benefit the health of staff, patients, visitors and the local community.
The framework’s criteria aim to:
- Reduce the amount of air pollution directly created by the hospital
- Reduce the amount of air pollution that staff, patients and visitors to the hospital are exposed to
- Help the hospital increase its impact by mobilising others.
Role model
show leadership by minimising air pollution from activities with the health sector's control
Educate
inform patients and the public about the health risks of air pollution and how to protect their health
Champion
support policy measures and work with others to improve air quality
Why become a clean air hospital?
There are over 400 hospitals in the UK, and 16,500 worldwide. Hospitals are not only at the sharp end of delivering care to those affected by air pollution, but they are a direct contributor to that air pollution as well: in England the NHS accounts for five percent of all road traffic.
Air pollution in and around hospitals comes from multiple sources, from transport to and from the site for patients, visitors, staff and deliveries to the materials used to build the hospital and keep it clean, increasing and exacerbating health risks for patients, staff and visitors. Tackling air pollution is therefore a health opportunity. In addition, activities that reduce air pollution can have health co-benefits: increased walking and cycling reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and promote mental wellbeing. Actions that reduce air pollution reduce health risks from climate change, such as heat-related deaths and flood-related illness.
Hospitals can take ownership of this major health problem and lead by example, as role models, educators and champions. Hospitals have a duty of care to their patients and staff, and therefore have the opportunity to take a visible leading role in providing as healthy an environment as possible, including tackling air pollution. By becoming a clean air hospital, the hospital has a strong basis from which to work with others to implement measures to cut air pollution (eg vehicle standards, traffic control, cycle paths).
Health professionals are some of the most trusted members of society and are therefore well placed to provide the 660,000 patients seen each day in the UK with advice on how to reduce air pollution and protect their health from air pollution.
The Clean Air Hospital Framework has been developed by Great Ormond Street Hospital and environmental charity Global Action Plan.
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31st January 23
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