Workshops and training

This module helps learners understand the value of leadership commitment to sustainable healthcare. Learners will be introduced to the IHF Leadership Model in the context of sustainability and approaches for adjusting governance frameworks to embed sustainability into hospital operations. Finally, the value of engaging internal and external stakeholders for sustainability initiatives will be explored.

This module introduces the importance of engaging hospital staff on a hospital’s net-zero healthcare mission – executives set the vision and goals, but you need staff to help you co-design, execute and measure the progress towards decarbonization. Strategies for workforce engagement are explored, including Chief Sustainability Officers, Green Teams, and communication strategies.

A hospital’s supply chain is its most carbon intensive area of operations. It is imperative that it is a key part of a hospital’s pathway to net-zero. Learners will be introduced to the concept of sustainable procurement, exploring the opportunities procurement departments have to effect change through collaboration with hospital departments and suppliers alike. The module closes by providing tangible strategies for participants to implement to get them started within their organizations.

This module introduces lifecycle thinking as an approach to the things we buy. Moving away from a linear model of resource use – buy-use-dispose – to the lifecycle approach that encourages holistic thinking about how items are made and used, and then thought given to how they can be repurposed after disposal – replenished, re-used, restored, and so on. A key point in all of this is rethinking and reducing our waste in the first place, amongst other options. This is discussed in the context of hospital waste management systems, with a focus on single use plastics and food waste.

The cost of making operations more sustainable is often considered a barrier to action, but people are often surprised at the cost savings that can be achieved. This module frames its approach to finance as a necessary opportunity to act now, as opposed to the far greater cost of acting too late. It introduces examples of initial cost outlays that pay for themselves over time, such as solar panels and more efficient HVAC systems. Case studies which highlight cost savings through behaviour change and rethinking of clinical pathways and hospital systems are explored. Establishing a green fund to fund staff projects is presented as a way to engage staff, save money, and reinvest.

Food is an enormously important aspect of hospital operations, but it can have a high carbon footprint. This module explores the opportunities available to hospitals to rethink their approach to food, such as providing more vegetarian options, reviewing portion sizes, and sourcing locally-produced organic and seasonal food. Ultimately it is about providing healthy, nutritious food with a lower carbon footprint. Dealing with food waste is also discussed in the context of circular economic thinking.

Operating rooms are often 3-6 times more energy intensive than the rest of the hospital and are a major producer of waste. This module introduces a low-carbon, high-value care approach with the aim of reducing carbon emissions without compromising on patient outcomes. From integrating sustainable prescribing practices to reducing carbon emissions from operating theatres, in this module healthcare providers are provided with insight on integrating practices that contribute to a healthier environment whilst delivering high-quality care.

In 2024, Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC) collaborated to develop evidence-based, environmental sustainability standards that was published as a part of the 8th edition of JCI’s Accreditation Standards for Hospitals.

The accreditation standards focus on 5 key areas:

1. Governance, tracking, and reporting
2. Employee engagement and empowerment
3. Use of environmental resources, green operations, and process
4. Procurement and supply chain
5. Infrastructure and service resilience

This module is setup to help hospitals and healthcare organizations prepare them for the accreditation process through integrating sustainability as a core principle and transitioning towards the delivery of low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable healthcare.

This depends on a number of factors:

• Whether your organization is an IHF member or not. IHF members get discounts.
• Which country your organization operates in. We offer a progressive pricing structure based on the income level of your country, as defined by the World Bank. This ranges from low-income all the way to high-income countries.
• What services you are looking for.

We are a not-for-profit organization, so fees are just to cover our operating costs. We want our services to be affordable for any organization looking to make their hospital more sustainable, and we work with organizations from all over the world to make this happen.

Get in touch today so we can discuss your needs: sustainability@ihf-fih.org