NHS Wales decarbonisation strategic delivery plan 2025 to 2030 - Part 10: Clinical services
Our plan to reduce the environmental impact of NHS Wales and support the Welsh Government’s Net Zero ambition for the public sector.
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23: Integrate environmental sustainability into the development and monitoring of clinical guidelines
23a: Develop a methodology to assess the environmental impact of healthcare pathways – both pharmacological and non‑pharmacological – for inclusion within the clinical guideline development process
Proposed owners: NWSSP (NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership).
Implemented by: September 2026.
23b: In the upcoming medicines optimisation framework review, embed the requirement for an environmental impact assessment (utilising methodology developed in 23a) into the clinical guidelines development process
Proposed owners: AWTTC (All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre).
Implemented by: pending review of medicines optimisation framework
23c: Integrate environmental sustainability criteria as part of the endorsement process for clinical guidelines
Proposed owners: all-Wales Medicines Strategy Group.
Implemented by: pending 23b.
23d: Incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) where possible to support monitoring of the implementation of desired clinical behaviours outlined in the guidelines – for example, through national prescribing indicators, dashboards, or similar tools
Proposed owners: AWTTC; health boards.
Implemented by: annual reporting.
24: Maximise the sustainable impact of digital and data solutions in clinical delivery by evaluating their environmental benefits and prioritising scalable innovations
24a: Embed environmental impact reporting across the digital medicines programme workstreams, including programme evaluation and future programme design
Proposed owners: DHCW, supported by contributing partners.
Implemented by: May 2027.
24b: Support collaboration and knowledge sharing for ePMA (Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration) through regular ‘community of knowledge and Action’ meetings
Proposed owners: DHCW (Digital Health and Care Wales).
Implemented by: annual reporting.
24c: Develop a best practice approach for the use of digital technology and further explore digital consultation technology; align this with the Welsh future healthcare journey visions and the concept of providing care closer to home.
Proposed owners: DHCW, supported by contributing partners.
Implemented by: September 2026.
24d: Continue to digitalise clinical records and communications to increase resource efficiency and reduce printing resource requirements
Proposed owners: health boards and Velindre.
Implemented by: annual reporting.