Sustainability and the NHS: video consultations are an opportunity

I agree with Issa and colleagues1 that healthcare systems cannot operate effectively without sustainability as a central consideration in every aspect of their functioning. Video consultations are an opportunity for reducing the carbon footprint of care.Our regional renal centre recently studied the carbon dioxide saving of converting a large proportion of appointments in a single outpatient clinic from face-to-face to video.2 During a period of two years more than 11 tons of carbon dioxide were saved because of an intervention that was originally intended to overcome challenges during the pandemic. Video consultations are safe and effective in routine transplant aftercare, and extremely popular with most patients. In comparison with telephone appointments they provide useful visual clues3 and improve rapport with patients.4 Others have also reported good experience with video consultations in transplant aftercare.5Video consultations are not suited to all specialties or to all clinical settings, and patients who have transplants…
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