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The NHS use around 1.4 billion gloves per year, this could equate to as much as 117,600 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), this is equivalent to driving 863 million kilometres in an average car*.

Following completion of a 'Gloves Off' Quality Improvement project, Oaktree Lodge, a 17-bed inpatient unit in Greenwich for people with mental health needs, has reduced its use of disposable gloves by almost 50% and improved hand hygiene standards as a result.

While appropriate use of gloves is needed to protect against hazards like blood, body fluids, and chemicals, they are not needed for activities such as feeding, moving patients, administering medicines, or taking observations. Hand hygiene is key to preventing infection spread.

With a saving of over £600 and a reduction in carbon footprint of 0.7 tonnes, this aligns to our Living Within Our Means plans and our sustainability priorities.

Making small changes and sharing knowledge on glove usage resulted in many benefits including:

• improving hand hygiene and breaking down barriers to human touch
• protecting the NHS by making savings and giving back
• protecting the planet by reducing the carbon footprint
• empowering staff in the knowledge of best practice
• staff are proud of what they have achieved, improving morale as a result

Jane Wells, Chief Nursing Officer, said:

I would encourage everyone to look at ways of improving practice to help us save time, money and the environment. Whilst this may seem like a small improvement, if all teams make small changes, together we’ll make a big difference.

We all have a responsibility to protect our NHS, our planet and improve patient care.”

*Source CO2 Converter - OpenCO2.net

Well done to all at Oaktree Lodge.