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Sustainability in Healthcare
The Department of Health recognises the link between the health and wellbeing of Victorians and the health and wellbeing of the environment. The department is committed to improving sustainability within health system infrastructure and performance. This commitment is documented in the department's Sustainability Principles.
Sustainability Principles
There are three broad themes relating to sustainability in health:
- sustainable environments for a healthy lifestyle
- implications of a changing climate
- sustainability in health system performance
This site provides information on the department's commitment to integrating sustainability within health system performance. Further information on the two other themes is provided below and the relationship between the three themes is documented in the conceptual diagram on sustainability and climate adaptation in health.
Integrated approach diagram
This site also provides a range of resources to assist health services integrate sustainability within their organisations, including:
- carbon management
- energy and water efficiency
- environmental compliance
- environmental data
- environmental management planning
- sustainable healthcare procurement
- sustainability in capital investment
- sustainable transport
- waste management
Sustainable environments for a healthy lifestyle
In developed countries like Australia there are few visible indicators of the environmental impact on health unlike in many developing countries, where visible indicators include poor sanitation, litter, waste, smog and haze.
Health is, in part, dependent on the natural and built environments. It is critical to foster environments that protect and promote the health and wellbeing of communities. Many decisions that ultimately affect the health and wellbeing of Victorians, such as land use and transport planning policies and decisions are made outside the health department. The department plays a key role to communicate the importance of the natural and built environments to health and wellbeing.
Further information on the department's work in these areas can be found at:
- Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015
- Local government planning for health and wellbeing
Implications of a changing climate
The climate is changing and is having recognisable effects on the health and well-being of all Victorians, though more acutely on those who are already vulnerable. Such effects include an upward trend in the average annual number of hot days and related deaths and hospitalisations, and an increase in the number and severity of bushfires and associated injury, death, respiratory hazards and mental health and wellbeing.
Further information on the department's work in these areas can be found at:
Videos
Videos have been developed by the department and Western Health to provide some perspectives on why it is important to embed sustainability within the healthcare system, as well as to highlight some practical measures that can be taken by healthcare providers.
