A new study suggests that if all providers of cataract surgery in England were to match the best performers in following GIRFT’s best practice pathway, there is potential to save enough carbon dioxide equivalents to power almost 16,000 UK homes with electricity for one year.
A team of GIRFT researchers* analysed data for more than 455,000 cataract procedures in England between April 2021 and March 2022 for a study recently published in Eye (the journal of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists) entitled The carbon footprint of cataract surgery pathways in England: an observational study using administrative data.
The team found that the average carbon footprint of key elements of the cataract surgery pathways (from pre-operative assessment to post-operative follow-up) was 100 kgCO2e. They estimated that had all Integrated Care Boards in England adhered to the recommended GIRFT pathway for cataract surgery, then 17.5 kilotonsCO2e could have been saved in the year being studied, enough to power 15,887 average UK homes with electricity.
Key elements of the pathway that can help reduce carbon footprint are pre- and post-operative contacts (many of which can be avoided through one-stop-shop models), patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) and greater use of virtual appointments.
GIRFT’s high-flow cataract pathway was developed with a focus on optimal patient care and service efficiency, with no specific focus on environmental sustainability or carbon reduction. However, the paper in Eye highlights the potential synergy between better care for patients, efficient and productive care delivery and environmentally sustainable practice. Where these three elements meet has been termed the green ‘triple bottom line’.
GIRFT is continuing to support Greener NHS and other organisations in helping the NHS to meet its target of net-zero by 2045, demonstrating where there are opportunities to maximise the co-benefits of the transition to net-zero.
The study was carried out by:
- Maria van-Hove: GIRFT clinical fellow
- Hasina Begum: Data scientist at NHS England
- Manraj Phull: Senior Net Zero Delivery Manager at NHS England
- Jonathan Bhargava: GIRFT co-lead for ophthalmology
- Lydia Chang: GIRFT co-lead for ophthalmology
- Professor Tim Briggs: GIRFT chair and NHS England’s National Director for Clinical Improvement & Elective Recovery
- William Gray: GIRFT’s academic content lead
