Cirencester Health Group is delighted to be signed up to the Green Impact for Health Toolkit. We are currently actively working towards our bronze award, the first step on the journey to reduce the carbon footprint of the practice.
The NHS (National Health Service) is committed to reduce it’s carbon emissions, currently healthcare is responsible for 4-5% of the UK (United Kingdom) carbon emissions.
The climate emergency is also a health emergency. Rising temperatures, adverse weather events and pollution can influence our physical and mental health. This can especially affect those with pre-existing chronic health conditions.
We recognise the need to improve the health of our current population without compromising the health of future generations.
The good news is that many of the solutions for our planet are also good for our health – for example- eating a more plant-based diet, walking more, and exercising in nature, avoiding smoking, reducing pollution etc. All these things enhance our health and well-being and can mean we need less medication.
We at Cirencester Health Group are keen to promote measures such as exercise and lifestyle to keep our patients healthy and hopefully reduce the need for prescribed medications. We are lucky to have two social prescribers working with us, who take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing and can refer people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
There is more information on reducing carbon emissions of healthcare at: www.greenerpractice.co.uk.