A/Prof Forbes McGain receives Australia's first NHMRC grant for sustainable healthcare projects

A/Prof Forbes McGain receives first NHMRC grant dedicated to sustainable healthcare

A/Prof McGain will lead five projects over two years with the grant of $995,919.

The projects aim to improve hospital systems by reducing waste and emissions, while enhancing patient care, through simple, evidence-based changes.

Switching IV to oral medications in theatre:

• Many surgical patients may be able to take oral drungs instead of IV
• Fewer lines and bags could mean less waste and faster recovery times.

Smarter use of airflow in operating theatres:

• Hospital theatres currently replace air every three minutes, even when empty
• The team will test whether reducing this can save energy without comprimising safety.

Improving strilisation processes:

• The project will explore using sterilising equipment more efficiently and replacing single-use gowns with reusable ones to cut waste.

Rethinking medical expiry dates:

• Single-use items are often discarded once expired, even if usable
• The team will assess if better systems could safely reduce waste and save money, without comprimising patient outcomes.

A toolkit for sustainable healthcare:

• A practical toolkit to support clinicians in reducing waste, lowering emissions, and minimising unnecessary resource use across hospitals.

"This work is about rethinking the everyday, finding ways to make healthcare more sustainable without compromising patient care. What excites me is the potential for these ideas to spread, improving systems not just here, but in hospitals around the world." A/Prof Forbes McGain