Positively Green

Sophie, one of Plymouth’s Medical Students, has put together an exciting project whereby medical students are given reusable scrub hats during their time at the hospital. In her comprehensive proposal, Sophie writes: Reusable scrub caps have a 56% to 61% lower carbon footprint than disposables, with this being measured over the entire life cycle, including waste, washing, transport, and manufacturing. Furthermore, a reusable scrub cap only needs to be used between 16 and 19 times to have a lower carbon footprint than the equivalent number of disposable head covers.

Before this project, medical students were instructed to use single-use caps. But Sophie was inspired by the Trust’s commitment to sustainability to challenge this rule and reduce the ecological impact of medical students. In May, a proposal was put forward for a pilot trial in which a group of medical students wears reusable white scrub caps provided by the University in the theatre.

The following measures were put in place to address any concerns. These included: 

• Giving medical students two scrub caps for a maximum of 3.5 days in theatre per week;

• Instructing students on the need to wash the caps before each use at 60°C, as per guidelines;

• encouraging their transport to and from the hospital in a small, protective bag. 

Single-use scrub caps will still be available as usual in case any hats are forgotten, and Sophie and team will track their use to ensure that we are achieving a reduced carbon footprint.  At the end of the pathway, the caps will be collected and counted. This will account for any losses of caps and help calculate whether there are issues with waste as well as ensuring cleanliness.

A big thank you to Mr Ariyarathenam, Consultant Oesophago-gastric Surgeon who endorsed the project and supported Sophie with her sustainable idea. It is innovative thinkers like Sophie who will change the way we approach healthcare by challenging unsustainable behaviours and championing low-cost solutions.