Introduction
In a national first, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI), in partnership with the HSE and the Irish College of GPs (ICGP), has launched the GreenTech in Healthcare call. This initiative seeks eco-innovations to combat the healthcare sector’s environmental impact, which contributes 5% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. The call focuses on reducing the carbon footprint in three key areas: production, disposal, and decontamination.
Tackling Sustainability Challenges in Healthcare
Healthcare’s environmental toll is significant due to the extensive use of single-use products, energy-intensive processes, and waste generation. The GreenTech call aims to support solutions that mitigate these challenges while maintaining high clinical standards.
- Production: Medical products like syringes and surgical gowns are resource-intensive, requiring plastics and energy-heavy manufacturing processes. This contributes substantially to carbon emissions.
- Disposal: Single-use items create continuous waste streams. Their disposal through incineration or landfilling releases harmful emissions, contaminates soil, and generates methane.
- Decontamination: Processes like cleaning and sterilization of reusable devices require energy, chemicals, and water. Improving these systems could enhance sustainability without compromising infection control.
Focus Areas for Innovation
The Clinical Sustainability Advisors (CSAs) from hospitals and healthcare organizations across Ireland have identified high-priority product categories for improvement, including:
- Syringes and sharps
- Bottles and packaging
- Cutlery, crockery, nappies, and sanitary products
- Medical textiles such as surgical gowns, aprons, and masks
Dr. Lisa McNamee of the Irish College of GPs, Dr. Cathy Burke of Cork University Maternity Hospital, and other CSAs play a crucial role in guiding these efforts.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Tanya Mulcahy, HIHI National Director, underscored the initiative’s broader significance:
“GreenTech in healthcare represents a growing movement within the global health industry to adopt technologies and practices that are environmentally sustainable, aiming to improve health outcomes while minimizing ecological footprints.”
Dr. Philip Crowley, National Director of HSE Climate and Global Health, reinforced the sector’s responsibility:
“As Ireland’s largest public body, the HSE has a significant role in tackling the climate crisis. We are committed to reducing healthcare’s carbon footprint while addressing the health impacts of climate change.”
Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan, Medical Director of the Irish College of GPs, highlighted the potential of frontline healthcare providers in driving sustainability:
“Irish GPs, nurses, and practice teams deliver essential primary care and are well-placed to innovate in ways that support the HSE Climate Strategy.”
A Two-Stage Application Process
The call is open to companies, organizations, researchers, and institutions of all sizes and origins. Applicants will undergo a two-stage evaluation process. The initial review will shortlist promising proposals, with selected teams invited to pitch their ideas before an expert panel. Full application details are available at hihi.ie.
Industry Implications
As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with sustainability challenges, this initiative positions Ireland as a leader in eco-conscious healthcare innovation. By combining industry, government, and clinical expertise, the GreenTech in Healthcare call seeks to reshape environmental practices across the sector.
The project exemplifies how cross-sector collaboration can drive impactful solutions, from reducing waste to rethinking medical product design. As the healthcare industry’s sustainability demands intensify, the outcomes of this initiative could influence policy, procurement, and patient care models worldwide.
Looking Ahead
With a shared commitment to reducing emissions and fostering innovation, HIHI, the HSE, and the ICGP are setting a precedent for sustainable healthcare development. As the GreenTech call progresses, the healthcare sector—and the planet—stands to benefit from transformative solutions with long-lasting environmental and societal impact.
