University Hospital Southampton (UHS) appoints a vegan Head of Sustainability to reduce meat served in the hospital canteen.
University Hospital Southampton has made waves by appointing a vegan Head of Sustainability to make the hospital more environmentally friendly.
This involves reducing the amount of meat served up to both visitors and staff in the hospital canteen, The Feast Restaurant.
In fact, on Earth Day last week (22nd April), the hospital only served vegan and vegetarian food.
This was accompanied by posters around the canteen which explained the environmental benefits of going meat-free.
One example highlighted the effects of eating pork, reading:
“Every Monday The Feast Restaurant served 70 portions of pork. This contributes to 9.8 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
“This is the same as driving your car 25,000 miles a year, heating your home for nearly four years, and taking 22,000 showers for eight minutes in one year.”
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Head of Sustainability
UHS is keen to address the environmental challenges in the healthcare system and to do this, Jason Light has been appointed as the Head of Sustainability.
As a vegan, Jason is well versed in the environmental benefits of removing animal products from your diet, and therefore makes the perfect addition to the team.
Speaking to Plant Based News about Earth Day, Jason explained:
“As the public sector grouping with the highest level of carbon emission, the NHS has a responsibility to respond to this crisis, which is why we are committed to delivering a world-class sustainable healthcare system.
“Today’s event is just the start of our renewed sustainability agenda.”
This news comes just weeks after a hospital in Beirut went 100% vegan, only offering plant-based meals to patients, staff and visitors.
Hospital meals have always been notoriously bad for vegans, but we hope this is the start of real change within the healthcare system.
Sick of being stuck with limited vegan options at hospitals?
Read our article on Vegan hospital food: Have we got any better?
