York GP: "Let's push for greener healthcare with patients and staff"
Dr Rumina Önaç has been sharing her efforts to go green, as COP26 continues in Glasgow.
People in York are being urged to play their part in helping to push for greener healthcare in the city.
It's as health professionals across York and the UK are joining in discussions at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow - either in person or virtually.
Dr Rumina Önaç, a GP at the Old School Medical Practice in York, pioneered the medical equipment amnesty back in September. She's been pleased with the response, and says the public's help will mean more items can be recycled:
"It's been really successful, and we've been overwhelmed by patient support for the scheme. People were pleased to see the piles of equipment mounting up, and nearly a 100 items totalling over a £1,000 worth of equipment have been returned - and counting.
"The items included crutches, walking sticks, shower stools, commodes and even a couple of wheelchairs. Hopefully the usable equipment is going to be cleaned and recycled for patients to use.
"It's about changing mindsets. We really want people to adopt the reduce, reuse, recycle mindset. We want to help make it as easy as possible for patients to return things.
Dr Önaç says she's watching closely the events at COP26, and wants to play her part along with her colleagues in pushing for action on climate change:
"I'm really excited about COP26 and I've got lots of colleagues around the country who are interested in green healthcare like I am. I'm learning more about green healthcare and what we can and should do to help the environment.
"All healthcare measures should be good for patients and good for the planet as well. I was delighted to see a photo of the world's first electric ambulance that has a range of 300 miles before it needs recharging.
"Anyone who has been in my consultation room will know that I'm often commenting on things; patients coming in with reusable masks will be congratulated! We're just grateful for anything that our patients are doing to help reduce our carbon footprint.
"People are interested in the posters up around the surgery such as the medical equipment amnesty, plus reusable menstrual and incontinence products and pledges from our staff on greener prescriptions. Patients who come in are aware that we're trying really hard to be greener, along with other colleagues across the Vale of York.
"Priory Medical - the biggest practice in the UK - have a green team and are encouraging their team to plant trees. We're really pleased that locally we're contributing to the cause".
Dr Önaç has welcomed the commitment announced at COP26 by over 100 nations to end deforestation by 2030, and says air quality is a serious issue which needs to be looked at:
"Air pollution is a really big problem and will be highlighted a lot at COP26. York actually has levels of air pollution that mean that 1 in 24 deaths in York could be attributed to air pollution. We need to improve our air quality in the city, along with encouraging greener transport and using fewer fossil fuels.
"About 30,000 deaths a year in the UK are caused by air pollution - that's roughly the size of Selby. When you think about it like that it's something we really need to tackle.
"Use greener forms of transport if you can, get out on your bike and get walking if you can".