TRANSPORTATION
This transport section includes transportation of the health care workforce, patients, visitors, and goods and services. Since transportation traditionally uses fossil fuels, it contributes significantly to climate change and air pollution.
Health care workers can choose active transportation modes (biking, walking), use public transportation where possible, or use their own zero emission vehicles. Health care fleets, including ambulances, can be zero emission vehicles. Contracts with health care suppliers can be developed which require low carbon transport modes. Transportation emission reduction can also happen by carefully considering how virtual care is used.
This section discusses bike friendly streets, zero emission vehicles, advocating for efficiency in transport use such as carpooling or bussing to work, and carefully considered virtual care.
Bike Friendly Streets
Can you get to your hospital safely by bike or by foot? We spoke with some of the leaders of Hamilton's Friendly Streets project about changes which were made around a downtown hospital - read the PEACH Byte.
Resources
An article about bike safety in Canada
Zero Emission Vehicles
Does your hospital have charging stations for electric vehicles?
Resources
The health benefits of ZEV compared to gas powered vehicles
Efficient Transport
Can you use buses or carpooling to save energy?
Resources
A factsheet about transit options
Virtual Care
Can you perform parts of your role effectively without commuting into work?
Resources
Virtual care options can offer high quality care with a reduced carbon footprint
RCPS report on the benefits of virtual care