The president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Sir Richard Thompson, has joined leaders of European healthcare professional and patient groups in signing a joint letter supporting a campaign led by Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH) which calls on EU health and environment ministers to phase out dangerous chemicals in healthcare, where safer alternatives are available.
Several health systems and hospitals throughout Europe have already recognised the need to avoid harmful chemicals and have voluntarily started phasing out medical equipment containing phthalates and other hazardous chemicals. However, although there is strong support in the European Parliament for an EU-level ban, it requires the wider support of EU member states to become law.
The RCP is supporting this campaign as part of our developing work on sustainability. The RCP is a member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospital Network that was founded by HCWH.
- Read the letter to EU health and environment ministers (attached)
- Learn what the RCP is doing about sustainability
- Information on the Global Green and Health Hospitals Network