ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
ANZCA Environmental Sustainability Network update This year has been a busy and productive one for the ANZCA Environmental Sustainability Network (ESN). Our main focus this year has been on creating connections between members and supporting the work of ESN working groups in developing resources and guidance for anaesthetists around the region. The ESN Executive membership now includes Dr Gretel Davidson representing the Faculty of Pain Medicine and Dr Kate Romeril representing New Zealand. We thank Dr Scott Ma, outgoing chair, for his tireless work in setting up ESN. Dr Archana Shrivathsa is now chair with deputy chair Dr Eugenie Kayak.
ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE Sustainability Matters: ESN discussion forum On 18 March ESN held its first online discussion forum led by Dr Beth Hall and Dr Archana Shrivathsa featuring a sample clinical scenario examining current practice through a sustainability lens followed by breakout groups to discuss opportunities to collaborate. The session concluded with a question and answer session and open networking session. MS Teams collaboration site Following the discussion forum and consultation with ESN Executive and members, Microsoft Teams has been launched as a collaboration site and rolled out to the 320 ESN members. This consists of channels for each state and individual projects such as nitrous oxide mitigation, sharps and pharmaceutical waste and fossil fuels. This is the first time the college has offered a communication platform of this type and we look forward to some lively discussion.
AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL HEALTH AND CLIMATE STRATEGY A comprehensive submission for the National Health and Climate Strategy was put forward by ESN Executive members Dr Eugenie Kayak and Dr Adam Crossley. The strategy developed by the Australian government will identify areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the healthcare system and establish a plan to manage the impacts of climate change.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY: LEADERSHIP AND ACTION WEBINAR The college’s progress on sustainability and the work of the ESN was presented at the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) Climate Change and Sustainability: Leadership and Action webinar on 12 September.
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ANZCA Bulletin
PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH Nitrous oxide working group A working group for nitrous oxide mitigation, led by Dr Cas Woinarski (Vic) has been formed comprising existing groups from several states. This group is working on developing guidance for fellows in reducing leaks from nitrous oxide manifolds and pipelines.
SHARPS AND PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE WORKING GROUP A document on disposal of sharps and pharmaceutical waste is nearing completion with content tailored to each state, providing recommendations for the ecologically safe disposal of waste based on individual state legislation. This group is led by Dr Raj Pachchigar (Qld) with contributors from across Australia.
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION ESN session at 2023 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) A concurrent session on environmental sustainability was run at the ASM with presentations by Associate Professor Kerstin Wyssusek, Dr George Zhong and Dr Justin Skowno and was chaired by Dr Scott Ma and Dr Archana Shrivathsa. TRA2SH workshop at ASM 2023 A workshop was facilitated by TRA2SH members Dr Alistair Park, Dr George Zhong, Dr Sukhi Hegde, Dr Kenhui Heng, Dr Cameron Dunn, Dr Archana Shrivathsa and Dr Jess DevelinHegedus on practical and meaningful ways to improve environmental sustainability in the operating theatre.
CLEAN & GREEN: BALANCING SUSTAINABILITY AND INFECTION CONTROL WEBINAR ESN held a webinar on 21 November discussing the tension between sustainability initiatives and infection control and disposable versus reusable items in terms of infection transmission risks. The webinar was co-chaired by Dr Mary O’Shea and Dr Archana Shrivathsa and featured talks by WA infectious diseases and microbiology consultant Dr David New, WA anaesthetist Dr Justin Hii and Queensland Children’s Hospital environmental sustainability consultant Renae McBrien.