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A Greener Practice

 

A Greener GP Surgery!

In 2020 the NHS became the first healthcare organisation in the world to commit to achieve net zero carbon emissions. At Adur Health Partnership we are also doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint by focusing on our prescriptions, travel (staff and patients), energy usage, services used, purchases we make and reducing waste.

As an organisation we are working towards an award that is supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners and we will let you know via the newsletter and website when we have achieved this.

Climate Emergency is also a Health Emergency

A piece of research in a medical journal showed the clear benefits of climate action on our health. If the UK achieved its 2040 climate targets we could save;

98,000
Lives a year through better ‘flexitarian’ diets
21,500
Lives a year by people taking more exercise
3,500
Lives a year from a reduction in air pollution

How you can Help?

As an organisation, we are doing our best to reduce our Carbon Footprint and we need your help to make this happen. Learn more about Greener Practice here.

Further Information: 

Recycling

Don't Throw your unused medications in the bin!

Did you know that all unused medications should be disposed of at your local pharmacy?

Putting pharmaceutical waste in your general household waste has a far higher impact on the environment.

Insulin Pens

Some Insulin pens can be recycled. If you use a pen from Novonordisk then please take your pen back to Boots the Chemist in Shoreham so it can be recycled. All AHP patients using this device were sent a text or letter in 2023 to tell them about this scheme. Unfortunately, no other local pharmacies provide this service.

Find information about recycling your Insulin Pens

Inhalers and Inhaler Disposal

You may be surprised to read that some inhalers come with a large carbon Footprint!

At Adur Health Partnership along with our local pharmacies, we are doing a huge amount of work to reduce the prescribing of aerosol inhalers that are known to be more damaging to the environment. We are very grateful to you for working with us when we ask you to change your inhaler.

The aerosols used in asthma and COPD inhalers have a huge impact on the environment.

Please drop all your used or expired Inhalers at your Local Pharmacy.

Unfortunately, UK pharmacies no longer recycle inhalers, but they do send them off for incineration in a safe and more sustainable way.

Your health is always the priority and we would never risk your asthma or COPD becoming worse, but we can make safe changes to treatment that make a huge difference. Never stop using your inhaler without speaking to a GP, or practice nurse at your asthma or COPD review.

Further Information about Inhalers and Carbon Footprint

How do you get to the surgery?

Private transport is one of the world’s biggest sources of greenhouse gases, and emissions are rising every year. In England around 60% of 1-2 miles trips are made by car. If you are able, help reduce our carbon footprint by taking the bus or using ‘active travel’.

Active Travel

Cycling and Walking are examples of ‘active travel’.

Active travel reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses. You may see improvements in your blood pressure and blood tests if you adopt Active Travel.

Online Services

Travelling to our surgeries can be reduced by using our online services.

If you have any queries about using these services please call the surgery in the afternoon or come in and talk to a receptionist.

Further Information about Traveling

Stay Healthy and Attend your Check Ups!

Being Healthy is good for the environment!

Do you have a chronic health condition such as High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Asthma or COPD? When these conditions are well controlled there is a reduction in prescriptions, appointments and associated travel. There are also less urgent flare ups and admissions to hospital. When you add all of this up being healthy has a huge positive impact on the environment.

A Few Examples...

  • Asthma: When asthma is better controlled then you will use less inhalers which by itself will make a significant impact on carbon footprint. You will also need less emergency appointments and rescue medications such as steroids. Learn more about asthma.
  • High Blood Pressure: When blood pressure is well controlled it reduces the risk of Stroke and Heart Disease by 400%. Keeping healthy in this way will reduce the impact that you have on the environment. Learn more about High Blood Pressure.
  • Diabetes: Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fats under control will mean a reduction in diabetes medication, emergency appointments and hospitalisations. It will also hugely help to reduce your risk of developing complications. All of these will significantly reduce carbon footprint. Learn more about Diabetes.
  • Stop Smoking: Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK. Stopping smoking with the help of your pharmacist will have a significant impact on your risk of health conditions, reduce your carbon footprint and save you money! Learn more about Tobacco and the Environment.

Moving Medicine – a resource that provides resources on how to manage long-term conditions with movement and exercise.

Get Involved