National Standards
Sustainable Healthcare Module
The Commission has drafted a Sustainable Healthcare Module that has recently undergone public consultation.
Improving sustainability can improve the safety and quality of care, improve the health of the community, reduce low value care, reduce unwarranted variation and reduce waste.
Consultation next steps
Thank you for providing feedback on the Draft Sustainable Healthcare Module. Consultation has now closed.
The Commission will review the feedback on the Module’s applicability, content and appropriateness to the health sector and use it to inform changes to the Module.
A revised draft module will be reviewed by the Commission’s Sustainable Healthcare Advisory Committee at their March 2023 meeting, before being considered by the Commission’s standing committees and Board.
Work will also continue on identifying relevant resources that could be used by health services to implement the module.
Why address sustainability?
Delivering environmentally sustainable and adaptable services is critical for all sectors and an important national priority. Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, however the delivery of these services contributes 7% of Australia’s total emissions. It is essential that Australia’s health systems act to improve sustainability, adapt to and mitigate risks associated with global climate changes.
Improving sustainability can improve the safety and quality of care, improve the health of the community, reduce low value care, unwarranted variation and reduce waste.
Background
The Commission established a Sustainable Environment Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) to provide expert technical advice and guidance on the development of a Sustainable Healthcare Module. The Advisory Group is compiled of multidisciplinary health professionals and a consumer with industry experience and expertise in sustainability, mitigation, resilience and adaptation within health care.
The Sustainable Healthcare Module will be voluntary for health service organisations. It can be implemented in any health service organisation and can be assessed as part of the organisation’s routine accreditation, should the organisation choose. Implementing the module will rely on the health service organisation’s existing governance structure.
The Commission engaged the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) and Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) to conduct a review of existing policies and literature, to better understand the potential safety and quality implications and solutions facing health service organisations related to climate change and the associated extreme weather events and changing patterns of disease.
Contact
For further questions or advice, please contact the Safety and Quality Advice Centre.
You can also receive regular updates about the Commission’s work by subscribing to the Commission’s NSQHS Standards eNews and updates.