Q3 2020

GHP / Q3 2020 5 NEWS , Ricardo has recently announced that it will be supporting NHS Services Scotland in the development of a strategy to achieve Net Zero before 2045. The NHS and healthcare community has long recognised a ‘climate emergency’, following reports in 2009 by the World Health Organization and the Lancet Commission on Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change. These identified climate change as “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century” and identified air pollution as the cause of an estimated seven million premature deaths every year. The development of NHS Services Scotland’s net zero strategy aligns with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act which outlines a requirement for the public sector to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 at the latest. The Net Zero strategy will also provide a pathway for identifying operational efficiencies, both through performance and cost reductions, covering areas such as improved energy solutions, introduction of new low emission technologies, further development of circular economy processes and improvements to the NHS vehicle fleet. Kathryn Dapré, NHS Scotland’s head of energy & sustainability commented: “We’re looking forward to working with Ricardo’s experts on the development of route maps to enable our Boards to meet net-zero carbon targets. These route maps will support NHS Scotland’s wider aspiration to be a net-zero service by 2045. As well as reducing NHS Scotland’s impact on the climate crisis, this will provide health co-benefits across the communities we serve.” Ricardo experts are already supporting the UK water industry and whisky industry with developing robust science-based strategies to enable achievement of net zero ahead of the UK’s 2050 target. Earlier in September the Ricardo plc group also announced its own intention to achieve Net Zero in its operations by the year 2030. Darren Perrin, Ricardo’s director of net zero commented: “Health and the environment are so tightly interlinked, and with this strategy the NHS Services Scotland will be playing an important role. We’ve have been working with NHS boards on sustainability for many years, and we’re excited our experts will be working closely with NHS Services Scotland to enable them to recognise ambitions to significantly reduce its impact on the environment.” Cegedim launches free digital learning to help pharmacists deliver ongoing care throughout COVID-19. Cegedim Rx, part of the innovative healthcare technology and services company, Cegedim, is pleased to announce a new free Learning Zone initiative to support existing and new users of its Pharmacy Manager PMR. The Learning Zone contains free, bite-sized online video tutorials to help support users of Cegedim’s Pharmacy Manager solution. This might include pharmacy teams or locum pharmacists who are required to work in different pharmacies as well as qualified and experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians answering the call from the NHS to return to work during the current pandemic. Users of Pharmacy Manager can freely access the platform and view an extensive library of material at any time and from any device. Adam Dennett, Commercial Director, Cegedim Rx comments: “In order to support the need for additional patient facing services, pharmacists are working longer hours, in different settings, and are bringing in additional resources to ensure there is less strain on the GP and hospital environments. As a result, pharmacy teams may be using systems that they are not already familiar with. In these circumstances, pharmacists have limited training opportunities and little time to learn on the job. Our response is to support pharmacy teams by rapidly launching a new Learning Zone, enabling them to Ongoing Support strengthen their current skill set or look to enhance their existing knowledge, thereby better unlocking the software’s greatest potential.” The Learning Zone is also beneficial to pharmacies who intend to switch their current PMR to Pharmacy Manager. Given that pharmacists are short of time, watching a short video allows for visual processing where users can learn through demonstrations. Knowledge can then be absorbed much more quickly. Cegedim is giving users early access to the Learning Zone to support pharmacists during COVID-19. The platform is being launched with England centric content, but will rapidly evolve to include Scotland and Wales specific resources, so that all users can benefit and broaden their knowledge over time. Users can also have access to certified learning paths, which include short assessments to validate product expertise and supply certificates. The online courses can also be recorded as CPD for revalidation submissions for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians too. The Net Zero Health Service Subscribe to GHP Subscribe here www.ghp-news.com/subscribe ghp Research, Translation, Commercialisation William - stock.adobe.com