As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the healthcare industry has a crucial role to play in adopting sustainable practices and achieving net zero emissions, particularly in light of upcoming NHS and UK government regulations that will mandate healthcare organisations to take concrete action to reduce their carbon footprint.
This event will delve into the compelling reasons why environmental sustainability is essential for healthcare innovators, highlighting the significant business advantages and opportunities that arise from embracing greener practices.
- Understand the compelling reasons why environmental sustainability and net zero are essential for healthcare organisations.
- Explore the business benefits of adopting eco-friendly practices, including cost savings, risk mitigation, and enhanced brand reputation.
- Discover how your technological advancements can empower healthcare providers to achieve their sustainability goals.
- Learn from clinical experts about the support they offer in helping healthcare organizations transition to greener practices.
- Gain insights from non-profit organisations about the advantages and opportunities that sustainability presents for businesses.
This event forms part of the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) event series. Medilink Midlands are one of a consortium of delivery partners for the WMHTIA, a project funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Innovate UK and West Midlands Combined Authority (part of City Regions).
Speaker Profiles:
Webinar Chair: Dr Ben Roberts, Innovation Adviser and Sustainability Lead, Medilink Midlands
Ben joined Medilink in 2022 as an Innovation Adviser in the West Midlands, after graduating with a PhD in Biomedical Research at the University of Warwick. Ben is utilising his knowledge currently in delivering activity under the West Midlands AHSN industry gateway. With a particular focus on sustainability, he aims to support SMEs in the health and life science sector on their journey to Net Zero.
Siân Dunning, Programme Manager, Medical Devices Testing & Evaluation Centre
As well as being Programme Manager, Sian is responsible for the £7M facility within the Institute of Translational Medicine and hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NFT. Siân has extensive experience in the management of programmes and projects, having worked with UKRI and NIHR for the past 10 years. Prior to this appointment Siân worked in higher education within Innovation and managed various growth programmes including leveraged investment. She has worked within management roles throughout her career and has extensive commercial experience in research innovation, consultancy, sales and marketing, and training, with notable expertise in medical technologies, healthcare and ceramics. Siân’s specialisms are programme & project management, business growth, fund management, innovation, and commercialisation.
Presentation title: Sustainability considerations when innovating for healthcare
Thorsten Kampmann, Supply Chain and Organisational Transformation Consultant, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
He started his career with a PhD in Molecular biology and has extensive experience in supporting healthcare start up companies. Thorsten is leading the engagement of the MTC Transformation Team with the West Midlands Health Technology Innovation Accelerator (WM-HTIA). Thorsten and his team provide supply chain and manufacturing capability gap analysis, and development of capability development interventions. In addition to financial and technical performance optimisation the team is developing solutions for Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) optimisation of supply chains. Over the last decade, Thorsten has worked in a range of sectors, including biomedical, healthcare, aerospace, defence, nuclear, construction, general manufacturing, and supply chain improvement.
Florah Waithaka, Research Engineer, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
Florah has an MSc in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management and primarily supports research projects in the MTC that fall in the sustainability field. Florah is involved in the West Midlands Health Technology Innovation Accelerator (WM-HTIA) project to develop solutions for SME’s working with the NHS. This includes supply chain & ESG capability gap analysis as well as capability development interventions for SMEs involved. In addition, Florah has experience working in, Construction, STEM curriculum development and Carbon accounting.
Thorsten and Florah will present together and their presentation title is: Communicating your Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments to the healthcare sector and achieving ESG ratings like the NHS-Evergreen
Morgan Roberts, Project Officer, Sustainability West Midlands
Morgan’s work ranges from producing climate change adaptation support for organisations including the NHS, to running the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge, a free initiative involving organisations committed to reducing carbon emissions and supporting them on this journey. Morgan will be sharing an overview of the wide range of business support available in the region, providing guidance on how to identify and get involved in the best opportunities for your business.
Presentation title: Sustainability West Midlands on the wider support available for creating a sustainable and climate resilient business.
Bev Fawdington, Co-Founder/Creator, Rainbow Trays
Bev is the co founder and creator of Rainbow Trays, organisational and colour coded anaesthetic drug trays that support anaesthetists to identify and reduce the incidence of anaesthetic error and reduce cognitive loads. Human factor engineered, Rainbow Trays are recommended by the Association of Anaesthetists as a technical solution for medication error in anaesthesia.
An innovator aligned to sustainability in anaesthesia and healthcare, Bev has been awarded a number of UK Innovate projects that specialise in the use and sustainable end of life recycling of medical plastic waste.
She also specialise in carbon accounting, decarbonisation and climate alignment for business. Partnering with VÖR consulting, we provide a full service to support PPN06/21 compliance with Carbon Reduction Plans, carbon strategy, ESG reporting and verifiable offset programmes.
Presentation title: Carbon Accounts – Are they worth it?
Danny Harrison, Innovation Manager, WMG University of Warwick
Danny is an Innovation Manager at WMG, University of Warwick, where he specialises in micromobility supply chains. He is a passionate advocate for innovation and has a proven track record of helping businesses to succeed.
In his current role at WMG, Danny leads a team of experts who are working to develop new and innovative solutions for supply chains. He is also responsible for managing a number of research projects and initiatives, and he works closely with industry partners to help them to implement new technologies and processes.
Presentation title: WMG Net Zero Innovation Network