The journey towards a sustainable, environmentally-conscious healthcare system has taken a significant step forward with the announcement of the UK Hub for One Health Systems: Creating Sustainable Health and Social Care Pathways. Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), this exciting new initiative will play a pivotal role in helping the UK achieve its legal obligation of becoming net zero by 2045.
The £6.5 million funding boost will enable the collaboration of top-tier academic and healthcare institutions from across the UK, all united in a shared goal: to create sustainable, low-carbon care pathways that deliver optimal outcomes for patients while protecting the environment for future generations. By focusing on decarbonising health and social care pathways, the hub will address the intersection of health, environmental sustainability, and social care – all vital components of a healthier and more resilient future.
The UK Hub for One Health Systems is an ambitious project that brings together a diverse group of experts from renowned institutions, including the University of Exeter, NHS Highland, Glasgow Caledonian University, Institute of Cancer Research, and many others. The partnership also includes NHS organisations, universities, and professional bodies such as the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Together, these partners will tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare sector today: how to reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants in healthcare systems while ensuring high-quality care.
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that the healthcare system of tomorrow must not only be effective in treating patients but also play an active role in protecting and nurturing the environment. By focusing on the sustainability of health and social care pathways, the hub will explore innovative ways to reduce emissions and pollutants, such as plastics and pharmaceuticals, throughout a patient’s journey.
Professor Ed Wilson from the University of Exeter will lead the project, working alongside experts such as Professor Sharon Pfleger, Consultant in Pharmaceutical Public Health at NHS Highland. Professor Pfleger, a co-founder of the One Health Breakthrough Partnership, will draw on the expertise and work done through OHBP in tackling the environmental impacts of healthcare practices.
Project co-lead, Sharon Pfleger, states: “I am delighted to represent NHS Highland as part of this hub. Partners will work together to design care that provides patients with the outcomes they need whilst also ensuring a healthy environment for future generations.”
The first work programme of the hub will build heavily on the previous work of the One Health Breakthrough Partnership, which Sharon co-founded. This programme will map current carbon emissions and other pollutants, such as plastics and pharmaceuticals, across patient journeys. It will then explore low-emission and non-clinical interventions in community and primary mental healthcare in selected demonstration sites across Scotland, creating real-world examples of how these sustainable pathways can be implemented and scaled.
The UK Hub for One Health Systems is one of seven transdisciplinary research hubs focused on decarbonising key sectors and creating solutions that benefit both human health and the planet. The hubs are aligned with the UKRI and NIHR’s broader strategy to address the intersection of health, climate change, and sustainability. As part of this national initiative, the focus on decarbonising health and social care pathways is critical, as the healthcare sector is responsible for a significant share of the UK’s carbon emissions.
The collaborative nature of this research hub allows for the pooling of expertise across various disciplines, from healthcare to environmental sciences, social care, and policy-making. By taking a systems approach, the hub will look at the interconnections between healthcare delivery, environmental impact, and the wellbeing of individuals and communities.
In line with the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, the UK Hub for One Health Systems will play a key role in designing health systems that not only serve today’s patients but also ensure the health of future generations. The hub’s efforts to design out carbon from care pathways will lead to tangible outcomes for the NHS and the broader healthcare system. It will help create a healthcare model that is both sustainable and capable of addressing the complex challenges of the modern world.
Through its collaboration with communities, healthcare providers, and academic institutions, the hub is positioned to drive meaningful change, ensuring that the healthcare system of tomorrow is as environmentally conscious as it is patient-centred.
By advancing research and innovation in healthcare sustainability, the UK Hub for One Health Systems will contribute to a healthier, greener, and more equitable future for all. The success of this initiative will not only transform how care is delivered but will also set the stage for a new era of healthcare, one that is truly aligned with the principles of One Health—where human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected and interdependent.
For more information about the UK Hub for One Health Systems and its efforts towards decarbonising health and social care pathways, please visit UKRI News or One Health Breakthrough Partnership.