The Building Better Healthcare Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in healthcare, shining a spotlight on projects that improve patient experiences and outcomes. As part of our winner spotlight series, we're showcasing standout initiatives that embody collaboration, creativity, and impact. In this edition, we hear from 2024 winner, Benenden Hospital about how their pioneering, patient-centred approach in transforming heathcare and inspiring progress across the sector.
What motivated you to participate in the Building Better Healthcare Awards, and how did you anticipate they would benefit your projects?
We believe that the Building Better Healthcare Awards aligned really well with our collaboration with SageTech Medical. As a leader in sustainable anaesthetic solutions, we recognised that SageTech Medical is driving the transition toward a more environmentally responsible healthcare sector. Being recognised with the award for 'Best Carbon Reduction Initiative' has been immensely valued and marks an important milestone in our shared mission to provide greener, more sustainable healthcare solutions.
Could you share more about the winning project, including its goals and the key elements involved in bringing it to life?
As part of Benenden Hospital's sustainability strategy, we are committed to minimising our environmental impact. As part of our carbon reduction targets, we recognised and prioritised the prevention of the release of harmful greenhouse gases caused by the use of anaesthetic gases. Protecting the environment for future generation is crucial, and by preventing these harmful fluorinated gases from polluting the atmosphere, this system offers hospitals an innovative and effective solution to make a meaningful impact on the planet.
In your view, how have the Building Better Healthcare Awards influenced your projects or your organisation's direction?
At Benenden Hospital, we have a comprehensive sustainability strategy in place, which aims to limit the impact our private hospital has on the surrounding environment people. We continue to evolve sustainably and always with the local community and patients at the heart of what we do. The national spotlight offered to our collaborative project by the Building Better Healthcare Awards was a fantastic way to gain more exposure for Benenden Hospital leading the way for sustainability among UK independent hospitals along with showcasing this state-of-the-art technology. We hope this national exposure leads to many other hospitals following suit. The awards have very much galvanised our mission towards our carbon reduction goals.
How do you see your project evolving or scaling in the future?
We believe that the project can evolve and scale and we are working with SageTech to assess what other initiatives are on the horizon to continue our good work in reducing our carbon footprint.
Healthcare must collectively act now, and we must lead on our vision to help prevent the global climate crisis, which is directly impacting public health today.
Benenden Hospital
What feedback have you received from stakeholders or end-users since completing the project?
The executive team at Benenden Hospital has shown strong support for the initiative from the outset. The clinical team initially had some reservations regarding the size of the SID-Dock machine. However, after its installation and subsequent use, these concerns have proven to be unfounded, as we have observed that the SID-Dock fits conveniently next to or behing the anaestheric machine, but has genuinely embraced this system and has expressed their appreciation, noting that it contributes positively to their health and wellbeing. In fact, they even organised a small celebratory gathering when the award was received!
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing healthcare innovation today, and how can they be addressed?
The biggest challenge for purely environmentally focused healthcare innovations is a financial one: convincing budget-holders that paying for sustainable solutions is a priority. Healthcare must collectively act now, and we must lead on our vision to help prevent the global climate crisis, which is directly impacting public health today.
The Building Better Healthcare Awards continue to champion innovation and excellence across the sector. With entries for 2025 edition opening in March, don't miss your chance to showcase your work - sign up for our newsletter to stay updated and be a part of the conversation.