Climate change is a pressing reality impacting our daily lives and the health of our communities. The urgency to act has never been greater. Our sector, like others, must rise to the occasion and implement sustainable practices to protect our environment and ensure a healthier future.

Our members are committed to supporting the sector in meeting these pressing challenges to achieve targets and reduce its environmental footprint, while ensuring a viable, thriving ecosystem and supply chain.

Two critical movements have happened over the past two years to support this. Firstly, our members are at the forefront in addressing this, designing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices. From advanced medical devices minimising energy consumption to digital health platforms streamlining operations, they are driving positive change.

Secondly and importantly, there is unprecedented cross-sector collaboration around several sustainability programmes, leveraging the best of what we all bring to the table.

Sector collaboration for sustainability

This began in 2022 with the welcome inclusion of HealthTech Ireland representation on the HSE Climate Action Strategy 2023-2050 working group. This comprehensive and ambitious strategy aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

It focuses on integrating sustainability into healthcare through sustainable buildings, transport, procurement, and waste management. Over 60 member companies, across devices, diagnostics, surgical and digital health, provided insights and feedback for this.

A significant milestone then was the launch of our report with input from two government departments, the HSE, EI, Hospitals and industry at the MedTech Forum, Dublin, 2023. This brought together key stakeholders to discuss and develop actionable strategies for a sustainable healthcare system.

The paper outlines critical recommendations, including the adoption of green technologies, improved waste management practices, and the gradual integration of sustainability into procurement processes.

We know that procurement can be a driver to achieve sustainability targets. This report demonstrates this positive role the health sector in Ireland is taking in achieving climate change mitigation, supporting the transition to circular economy and delivering Green Public Procurement goals.

Promoting procurement practices that are sustainable is also one of the targets of UN SDG 12.

Public/private partnership for education

Born from one of the paper’s recommendations, was the successful establishment this summer of a public-private partnership for an academic centre of excellence for sustainability in supply chain, with HealthTech Ireland, the HSE Procurement team, 20Fifty Partners and UL supported by Skilnet funding – a first for Europe.

This initiative will foster collaboration and education between the public sector, private companies, and healthcare providers. By leveraging the strengths and resources of each, we can accelerate the implementation of sustainable practices and achieve targets more effectively, while ensuring supply chain and SMEs, in particular, have the time needed to adapt.

Launching this autumn, the programme has been designed to inform participants about upcoming expectations. As described by 20FiftyPartners, this programme will also provide a “systematic approach to sustainable procurement practices, whilst aligning organisational strategy with sustainable procurement strategies”.

Looking ahead, the next steps for Ireland will be a continued concerted effort to meet our sustainability targets together. This includes an evolving procurement landscape with processes within HSE to enhance and prioritise sustainable products and services. By doing so, it ensures sustainability is embedded in every aspect of our healthcare system, from the equipment sourced and used to the services provided.

Alignment with Europe

Our team and the HSE will continue to collaborate through trusted, strategic engagement to share knowledge, align efforts and realise optimum value while avoiding unintended consequences. As a member of MedTech Europe, HealthTech Ireland feeds national information into the European collective, and in turn, we fully support their policies and initiatives aimed at building resilient and sustainable healthcare systems.

Their recommendations for Sustainable Healthcare, their Manifesto 2024-2029 outlining their vision for a sustainable healthcare future, and the EU Green Deal which aims to create sustainable, equitable, and resilient healthcare systems align perfectly with our goals, providing a robust framework for our efforts.

A more sustainable future

The future of sustainability in healthcare hinges on continued alignment through collaboration and innovation. The HSE strategy emphasises the importance of partnerships across sectors to drive sustainable practices. By working together, sharing knowledge, and leveraging each other’s strengths, we can create a resilient healthcare system that meets environmental targets and enhances patient care. This collaborative approach is essential for addressing the complex challenges of sustainability and ensuring a healthier future for all.

Ultimately, the path to a sustainable healthcare system is challenging but more achievable together. With the continued support of HealthTech Ireland members, the collaboration of stakeholders, and the commitment to innovative solutions, we can create a healthcare system that not only meets the needs of today but also safeguards the future for generations to come.

Susan Treacy is CEO of HealthTech Ireland. The article has been written with the assistance of Claire Shannon, HealthTech Ireland’s healthcare director and sustainability lead.