This report presents an overview of the data gaps identified within the healthcare sector in Wales by the Let’s Not Waste programme which is hindering effective decarbonisation strategies. The report outlines the current challenges in data collection and sources, utilising the WASTES framework to categorise key areas of concern.
The present strategic priorities of Health Boards and Trusts within Wales are outlined, along with their respective strengths and potential challenges. In addition, the current overall challenges to research are explored, including the prevalence of inaccessible or outdated data, compounded by the lack of Wales and England-centric data.
In response to these challenges, several recommendations are proposed. These include:
- Unifying data collection methods and standards across healthcare institutions. This will facilitate comparable analyses, providing a clearer understanding of waste and inefficiencies.
- Improving collaboration between stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and research institutions.
- Enhancing data sharing and knowledge exchange, to better tackle waste management challenges together.
- Bolstering capacity in data collection analytics and investing in training programmes.
- Strengthening data analysis capabilities to provide deeper insights into waste patterns and as a result, enable targeted interventions.
- Training programmes to empower healthcare professionals to implement effective decarbonisation strategies, fostering a culture of sustainability and driving meaningful change within organisations.