Where the magic happens

Back in October, the 10:10 community got together for the Pitch Pledge Party event and helped us kick off our work in kidney units where we retrofit heat exchangers on inefficient dialysis machines.

It's all pretty technical but each upgraded unit uses a hefty 20% less energy.

Spreading the word

Since my last update in December, we've been working with Braun (the company that makes the machines we're upgrading) to track down and get in touch with everyone who owns, one of the inefficient old models. Braun itself also runs a number of units and we are following these up to ensure they're all fitted with the carbon-saving heat exchangers.

We more than doubled the number of supporters

We have signed a further 140 people to the renal network on our website - more than doubling the number to reach 208 representatives in nearly 90% of renal units.

This means that people are not only sharing question about the heat exchangers project, but many other carbon-saving case studies too. There has been a recent flurry of discussion around how to dispose of concentrate bottles - with an Italian renal nurse finding the network as the only place she could get an answer to her question (and since then about 10 other Italians joining). 

When one thing leads to another...

Many of the emails and calls we receive start off with enquiries about the energy efficiency of renal units by retrofitting heat exchangers but they usually don't stop there. One example is an email we received from a Cancer Centre keen to reuse grey water which currently goes to waste.

Some hurdles to be tackled over the next few months

1. Ensure consistency of quotes given for renal units
2. Negotiate bulk discounts for heat exchangers, even if spread over different units
3. Investigate "invest-to-save" budgets together with the NHS Trust estates and renal unit staff as equipment is often bought from the renal services budget while savings accrue to the general budget
4. Recommend that estate managers get renal technicians on board

Apart from that, we'll continue to spread the word while helping people install the heat exchangers and assist them in tackling any barriers in the process.

P.S. A few of the best ways to stay in touch with us:

• The Green Nephrology network will be taking an active part in the NHS Sustainability Day on the 28th March - for more details on how you can get involved in the day check out their website.
• Keep an eye on our 10:10 page
• Contact me at frances.mortimer@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk 
• Sign up to our newsletter
• Join our Green Nephrology network, if you haven't already!
• Follow @SusHealthcare on twitter