When clinical research practitioner Abigail describes her work, she returns again and again to one belief: “Small changes make a big difference.” It’s a principle that sits at the heart of UHSussex’s new Trust Strategy and the Communities pillar, which commits the organisation to Being Green and creating a healthier future for patients, staff and the community.
After working as a health coach and nutritionist in community programmes, Abby realised she wanted to be part of the team producing the research that shapes public health advice. But alongside this scientific curiosity sat another long-standing passion, which is protecting the natural environment. She had volunteered in conservation at her local country park, helping maintain habitats and footpaths. “I loved doing something small that made a real difference,” she says, a philosophy that now drives her sustainability efforts in healthcare.
Healthcare’s carbon footprint accounts for around 4% of total UK emissions, and she began to notice areas where small, thoughtful changes could reduce waste. Conversations with colleagues, including an estates manager with a love for environmental issues, helped crystallise her thinking: healthcare must be part of the solution.
Today, Abby and others are helping to embed sustainability throughout the Research department at UHSussex. Another standout initiative is the ongoing work to reduce anaesthetic gases, ran by Dr James Dalton and supported by clinical researchers across the Trust.
Another local success is the Gloves Off campaign, which Abby has helped deliver to colleagues, building confidence in reducing unnecessary glove use without compromising infection prevention. The shift to reusable tourniquets, which can last up to 10,000 uses, has further reduced single-use waste.
Some changes are surprisingly simple. The Research team now collects fruit peels, coffee grounds and snack leftovers and contributes them to a community compost scheme run by a church in the local area. In just eight months, 72 kg of food waste was diverted from landfill, the equivalent carbon saving of driving from Brighton to Bristol! The resulting compost is even used to refresh green spaces around the department. “It’s a small thing, but it adds up,” Abby says.
Beyond day-to-day habits, sustainability is increasingly influencing how research is designed and delivered. By aligning research appointments with routine clinical visits, teams are reducing unnecessary patient travel. Decentralised trial models, such as setting up clinic points in community locations, also show promise. Abby recently took part in a study held in her local Boots store, demonstrating how research can be brought closer to people while cutting emissions and improving access for underserved communities.
Change is not without its challenges. Behaviour change, Abby says, is one of the toughest aspects of sustainability work. People also feel overwhelmed; the global climate crisis can seem too large for individual action to matter. But Abby takes a compassionate, realistic view: “You can’t do all the things the world needs, but the world needs all the things you can do.”
Her commitment to greener healthcare continues to grow. Abby is currently undertaking an apprenticeship in corporate responsibility and sustainability, with plans to contribute to the Trust’s new strategy: preparing for the world ahead by protecting the health of patients, staff and the environment. Through research, education, and community collaboration, she is helping to show how even the smallest steps can push us toward big, meaningful change and how UHSussex can lead the way in sustainable healthcare.
To listen to Abby talk about sustainability and future plans, you can listen to the UHSussex Voices podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
You can also read more about the new Trust Strategy – Excellent Care, Everywhere.