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AGPT registrars can commence applying to practices for the 2025.2 placement round through the Training Management System (TMS) from Monday, 28 April. Due to this, we are anticipating higher-than-usual traffic to our TMS. Although this may result in slower load times, we will actively be monitoring TMS performance and making necessary changes to remediate any issues. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding.


Environmental sustainability in general practice

Key actions for practice owners to create an environmentally sustainable general practice

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Last revised: 28 Oct 2024

Your practice team can support existing sustainability measures and actively contribute to minimising the environmental footprint of your practice. Sustainability and personal agency must be embedded within relevant aspects of the practice and clearly communicated to promote the workplace culture. Practice change occurs when the whole practice buys in and changes are understood and easily implemented.

Many options, tools and resources are available for you to start your journey towards more sustainable clinical practice. The important thing is to pick an area that resonates and make a start. (17)

As general energy use makes up the largest component of the non‑clinical carbon footprint of general practice, we have some suggestions for how your practice might avoid unnecessary energy use and increase efficiency. These actions can save both carbon and money. The key areas of focus are heating/cooling, appliances and lighting. You can also find general energy management advice for Australian businesses on the Energy management for business webpage.

Other areas the offer potential to boost environmental sustainability in your practice include:

  • travel (including use of hybrid/electric vehicles)
  • professional services
  • reduced paper usage
  • recycling practices
  • water
  • food waste
  • business management • disaster management
  • workplace culture.
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  8. National Health Service. Delivering a ‘net zero’ National Health Service. London: NHS, 2020 nhs.uk/greenernhs/wp‑content/uploads/sites/51/2020/10/ delivering‑a‑net‑zero‑national‑health‑service.pdf [Accessed 17 May 2022].
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  12. Woodcock, A, et al. Effects of switching from a metered dose inhaler to a dry powder inhaler on climate emissions and asthma control: Post‑ hoc analysis. Thorax BMJ, 2022. doi:10.1136/ thoraxjnl‑2021‑218088.
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  14. E bi K, Tong S. Preventing and mitigating health risks of climate change. Environ. Res., 2019;174:9–13. doi:10.1016/j. envres.2019.04.012.
  15. Royal College of General Practitioners. Sustainable development, climate change and green issues. London: RACGP, 2022 [Accessed 17 May 2022].
  16. Xie E, de Barros EF, Abelsohn A, et al. Challenges and opportunities in planetary health for primary care providers. Lancet Planet. Health, 2018;2(5):e185–e187. doi:10.1016/S25425196(18)30055‑X.
  17. B ansal A, Blashki G. Six steps to both greener and better primary care. London: The BMJ Opinion, 2020 [Accessed 17 May 2022].
  18. Office of Environment and Heritage. I am your optimisation guide: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Sydney, NSW: New South Wales Government, 2015 business/150317HVACGuide.pdf [Accessed 17 May 2022].
  19. Sustainability Victoria. Reduce heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) costs in your business. Melbourne, Vic: Victorian Government, 2021 vic.gov.au/energy‑efficiency‑and‑reducing‑emissions/in‑abusiness/plant‑and‑equipment‑energy‑efficiency/reduceheating‑ventilation‑and‑air‑conditioning‑hvac‑costs‑in‑yourbusiness [Accessed 17 May 2022].
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  21. Sustainability Victoria. Avoid food waste at home. Melbourne, Vic: Victorian Government, 2022 avoid‑waste/food‑waste [Accessed 17 May 2022].
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