1258 Audit of Environmental Costs for Bariatric Face to Face Clinics: A Single Centre Study – Interim Findings
K Sow, A Wallace, H Malek, G Kourounis, A Musbahi- Surgery
Abstract
Aim
The NHS has committed to delivering a net zero national health system by 2045. Patient travel accounts for approximately 20% of carbon footprint amongst resource use within outpatient appointments. The increased acceptability of digitalized healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic has helped in reducing this. The study aims to look at the carbon cost of in-person bariatric clinics over a two-month period.
Method
A prospective review of all in-person bariatric clinics in a single high-volume bariatric center was carried out from October 2022 to December 2022. Patient’s postal codes were used to estimate mileage and duration of travel to the hospital via Google Maps. The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Patient Travel Emission Calculator was used to estimate carbon dioxide emissions of different travel modes. Calculations were adjusted for the number of people attending with the patient and mode of travel.
Results
Between October and December 2022, there were a total of 48 in-person bariatric clinics. Of which, 87.5% traveled by car and 4.2% by bus or taxi. The total distance traveled was 2727 km, equivalent to 58.5 hours of travelling time. The total CO2 emissions and estimated travel-related costs were 277.4 kg and £534.98. Travels by car had the highest impact on travel costs and carbon emissions, followed by taxi and bus.
Conclusions
Significant cost and emission reduction could be potentially achieved by remote consultation rather than in-person clinics. Data collection is ongoing with the aim of collecting information from at least 100 patients.