A conversation with a Rising Star
This June, the 2024 European Sustainable Healthcare Awards recognised Lynn Elsey, Consultant Respiratory Pharmacist of the NHS, with the Rising Star Award for her outstanding contributions as a sustainability champion in the healthcare sector. We spoke with Lynn about her groundbreaking work in improving respiratory care through sustainable inhaler management, which reduces the climate impact of inhaler use.
Filling the gaps, for a sustainable future
With 15 years of experience in respiratory medicine across pediatric and adult care, Lynn identified a crucial gap in inhaler education and usage. "I've always seen the issue of lack of knowledge on inhalers. Education has been missing, and it's not the patients' fault," Lynn explains. This realisation drove her to develop a comprehensive quality improvement project in Manchester, where she works with the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
The project aims to enhance patient education, improve inhaler technique, reduce wastage, and also lower the carbon impact of inhaler overuse. Lynn's innovative approach included creating an e-learning module for healthcare professionals. "We saw an increase in competence and in the number of people who would consider reviewing patients' inhalers while in hospital," she notes.
Expanding impact and the importance of inclusivity
Her efforts do not stop there: Lynn has been educating GPs and primary care staff across Manchester to drive change at the community level. She's also involved in a project to evaluate a digital inhaler monitor which led to improved asthma control and reduced use of healthcare.
When asked about her motivation, Lynn shares, "I realised it's not possible for everyone to switch to more sustainable dry powder inhalers, but this was an opportunity to focus on improving treatment. The message of improving care became a way we could contribute to achieving the big goal of net zero while recognising that each patient is an individual."
Lynn's work has garnered attention beyond Manchester. She's involved with the British Thoracic Society's pharmacist advisory group and has become a co-leader for the Respiratory Sustainability group at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. "It's an online platform to share key work, papers, ask others' opinions, and have monthly meetups to discuss," she explains.
Addressing the opportunities in sustainable healthcare, Lynn chooses to highlight the importance of inclusivity. "Involving everyone, from every level of staff to patients, is key. [Patients] will engage much better in a message they helped to develop.” She also stresses the need for accessibility in learning and change implementation.
However, challenges remain. "We can't do it without funding," Lynn points out. "We need to make more clinical roles funded within this area to build the change and drive it through quality improvement." She also highlights the challenge of time constraints in healthcare settings, emphasising the need to give people time to upskill and learn.
Looking ahead: A vision for reduced climate impact & stronger patient self-management
Lynn is currently in her second year of a part-time PhD at the University of Manchester, focusing on improving adherence to inhalers in asthma through digital technology. "I hope my project will make a change, reduce the use of reliever inhalers, improve self-management, and see a reduction in carbon impact and healthcare utilisation," she says.
Lynn’s work exemplifies how individual passion and innovative thinking can drive significant change in healthcare, that not only improves patient care but also reduces the carbon footprint of healthcare. At HCWH Europe, we’re looking forward to seeing the impact of her work continuing to grow.
Keep up with Lynn's work by following her social media here!
The awards are sponsored by Philips, a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and home care.
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