Positively Green

Have you seen the patient information QR code trees around Derriford Hospital? These innovative vinyl tree stickers are designed to replace the majority of the paper information leaflets given out in wards and departments, thereby reducing the paper and energy consumption of the department.

Some of the tree stickers can be found in Ocean Suite, Gynaecology Outpatients, the Emergency Department, Snow Drop Suite and more! Simply look along the branches to see what categories of information are available, scan the QR code and access the patient information on your phone! The digital process means it is much easier to keep the patient information up to date, and patients can autonomously access the information they need.

This method reduces carbon emissions: To make a single sheet of paper produces ~5g of CO₂e_, meaning that just 10 leaflets made up of 10 sheets of paper each would generate 500g of CO₂e. It’s worth remembering that the overall carbon footprint of producing the leaflets is likely to be higher than this estimate once transport, energy usage and disposal/recycling are considered.

Paper leaflets are still available for those that want them- just ask!