Sustainable Healthcare: Together Towards Zero
Hunter New England Health will be carbon and waste neutral by 2030.
Our why
The World Health Organisation and The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change describe climate change as the single biggest threat to human health and the greatest public health emergency of the 21st century.
Hunter New England Health is already feeling the impact of climate change with more frequent and more severe weather events impacting health service delivery and the health of our community. At the same time, we know that our healthcare system is resource intensive with a significant carbon footprint.
Recognising the interconnectedness between human health and the health of our planet is key for Healthy People, Now and Into the Future.
Our goals
Acknowledge the connection between human health and the environment
Eliminate our contribution to the burden of disease by reducing our environmental footprint while being fiscally responsible
Adopt Aboriginal stewardship values for our environment by Caring for Country
Engage and empower our staff and the local community to participate in this journey of Sustainable Healthcare transformation.
Contribute to leading a movement of sustainability
Our key focus areas
Six key focus areas underpin Hunter New England Health's Sustainable Healthcare: Together Towards Zero strategy:
Energy
We are working to eliminate usage of harmful gases by electrifying our facilities, transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving the energy efficiency of our operations.
The following strategies will be implemented across all Hunter New England LHD health facilities:
Ensuring electrification of all new HNELHD facilities
Solar panel installations on all HNELHD owned facilities
LED and sensory lighting upgrades at all HNELHD owned facilities
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrades at all HNELHD owned facilities
Promoting energy efficiency through staff behaviour change campaigns
Upgrading electrical equipment to meet the highest energy efficiency standards
Exploring ground mounted solar installation opportunities
Exploring energy storage opportunities
Exploring renewable energy opportunities
Exploring opportunities to retrofit existing facilities to be all electric
Image

Image

Image

Visit our live solar dashboard to view our solar energy production.
Waste
We are driving a circular economy where our resources are utilised efficiently to avoid and reduce waste upstream.
The following strategies will be implemented across all Hunter New England LHD health facilities:
Establish best practice waste management systems at all HNELHD facilities
Partner with hospitality and retail vendors to implement best practice waste management initiatives
Work with HealthShare NSW to update and align waste policies and procedures so that best practice waste management can be operationalised across all HNELHD facilities
Image

Water
We are focusing on responsible resource management to ensure water security.
The following strategies will be implemented across all Hunter New England LHD health facilities:
Water tank installations at all HNELHD owned facilities
Capture and reuse of waste water from renal dialysis units using reverse osmosis
Low flow fixture upgrades at all HNELHD owned facilities
Implementation of stringent leak detection and repair processes
Image


Transport
We are aiming to reduce unnecessary staff and patient travel by using technological advancements. For travel that cannot be avoided, our focus is on active travel and electrification of our fleet.
The following strategies will be implemented across Hunter New England LHD:
Develop innovative virtual models of care to reduce staff and patient travel
Defleet and convert remaining fleet vehicles to hybrid or electric models
Installation of e-Charging infrastructure at all HNELHD owned facilities
Develop a ride to work strategy that supports active travel for staff
Explore opportunities to pilot e-mobility options for fleet travel
Incentivise staff uptake of e-Bikes and electric vehicles for personal use via salary packaging
Image

Image

Procurement
We are striving to procure good and services based on economic, social and environmental considerations.
The following strategies will be implemented across Hunter New England LHD:
Partner with State and District Procurement Teams to develop and implement sustainable procurement criteria in all tenders.
Work directly with suppliers to advance upstream circularity principles and encourage transparency in product and packaging material specifications
Collaborate with key stakeholders to implement mandates that address problematic products while sourcing suitable alternative
Infrastructure
We are minimising the negative environmental impact of all new infrastructure projects through sustainable building design and sustainable building best practice.
- All new infrastructure projects will achieve a minimum 5-star green rating
Current infrastructure projects:
Residential Eating Disorder Clinic
Banksia Unit Tamworth
Gunnedah Hospital
Muswellbrook Hospital
Manning Hospital
Glenn Innes Hospital
Moree Hospital
Cessnock Hospital
Maitland Mental Health Unit
Our awards and achievements
Hunter New England Local Health District Excellence Awards
The Hunter New England Excellence Awards celebrate the best of clinical excellence, quality, innovation, improvement, and outstanding achievements of staff members across our district.
John Hunter Hospital and Rankin Park Centre Allied Health: Outfits to Fitouts
John Hunter Hospital NICU: Greening the NICU
John Hunter Hospital Operating Theatres: Plastic Recycling
Hunter Brain Injury Service: Local Circular Solutions for Food Waste
HNELHD Bio-medical Engineering: Onselling used medical equipment
Other awards
International Health Care Climate Challenge: Climate Champion and Climate Action Winner for the Pacific Region
NSW Premier Awards: Finalist
Hunter Manufacturing Awards: Sustainability Collaboration Finalist
NSW Health Award: Environmental Sustainability Winner
Hunter Manufacturing Awards: Sustainability Collaboration Winner
International Health Care Climate Challenge: Climate Leadership Silver Award
NSW Government Sustainability Advantage Program: Bronze Award
NSW Government Sustainability Advantage Program: Champion of Champions Award
Hunter Business Awards: Finalist
NSW Banksia Award: Net Zero Winner
Hunter Business Awards: Finalist
