An NHS Scotland partner has urged a fresh focus on the drive to improve healthcare through greener thinking after the launch of a new national facility supporting the transition to a sustainable net zero economy

Last week, the University of Strathclyde officially launched the Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre (ANZIC), which is aiming to facilitate that transition through innovation, collaboration, and advanced manufacturing.

The centre will focus on becoming a hub for innovation in clean energy, transport, and digital technologies, all of which could eventually support NHS Scotland’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2040 at the latest.

Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health believes that the country’s focus must change if NHS Scotland’s initial target is to be realistically met, followed by a commitment to achieving net zero emissions from its supply chain by 2045.

Executive Chair Graham Watson said: “There is so much potential for accelerating Scotland’s greener economy and achieving a healthier population, and there is no doubt that NHS Scotland has achieved a great deal in that regard — but is it enough?

“While ANZIC is to be welcomed and is sure to provide transformational opportunities for such ambitions as scaling Scotland’s next-generation semiconductor technologies, by comparison, the drive for sustainable healthcare innovation is in danger of falling behind.

“The ultimate aim of halting climate change — the biggest challenge of our age — must be to benefit the future of humanity and there are no more direct ways to do that than by advancing healthcare through innovative thinking.

“InnoScot Health believes that the NHS Scotland workforce is key to delivering the innovative approaches needed to make vital steps towards net zero. If sufficiently encouraged and empowered, their insights can inform breakthrough ideas and collectively make the health service much greener in the run-up to 2040.”

Progress is being made by NHS Scotland through initiatives like decarbonising building energy — its biggest source of emissions – and the transition to electric vehicles for its fleet. Its strategy also involves reducing the use of high-impact anaesthetic gases and fostering a ‘Green Theatre’ approach.

Challenges remain, however, including the complexity of the existing estate and the difficulty of improving at scale.

Mr Watson continued: “NHS Scotland has of course made some significant, impactful strides, but we need more.

“ANZIC is open to partners from industry, academia, and the public sector looking to develop next-gen net zero technologies. Collaboration is power and I suggest that NHS Scotland must either attempt to get on board or learn from its lessons.

“The innovation centre’s new technologies and world-leading capabilities are expected to target large-scale net zero transformation of a kind which could feasibly help to underpin crucial healthcare advancements in future.”

InnoScot Health is calling on NHS Scotland’s diverse workforce to submit new ideas and benefit from its support in achieving sustainable outcomes.