A young girl who was treated for cancer at the Royal Hospital for Children returned to the hospital to quiz one of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s most senior leaders on the health board’s response to climate change.
Flora Shelton put Deputy Chief Executive Michael Breen through his paces as part of a special video filmed to mark Scotland’s Climate Week. The light-hearted interview explored how climate change affects healthcare and what the NHS is doing to reduce negative environmental impacts.
The Merrylee Primary School pupil was diagnosed with cancer when she was three years old and completed treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children when she was five. Now aged 11, she returned to ask the questions rather than answer them.
Flora enjoys writing stories and was excited to be involved in the project. Armed with a list of questions she had helped prepare herself, she took time out of school to quiz Michael on everything from recycling and reusable coffee cups to electric vehicles and the future challenges of climate change.
For Flora, the experience was unforgettable.
She said: “I was nervous but excited at the same time. I have learned a lot about climate change in school, so I wanted to see what the NHS was doing to help.
“It was really cool to get a microphone attached and learn how to use a clapper board.
“Michael explained that heatwaves and air pollution can make people sick. He said the NHS is using electric vehicles and making sure staff can recycle. We also spoke about how important using a reusable coffee cup is and that children should remind their parents to do this.
“I had a really fun time and went back to school to tell my friends and teachers all about it.”
During the interview, Michael answered questions on how climate change affects people’s health, the steps NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is taking to reduce emissions and the important role young people can play in creating a more sustainable future. Topics ranged from reducing waste and improving recycling to greener travel and energy efficiency.
The video is being shared during Scotland’s Climate Week, a national campaign celebrating climate action and encouraging individuals, communities and organisations to play their part in building a more sustainable future.
Keira McCluskey, Head of Sustainability at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Flora was fantastic. She arrived full of enthusiasm, asked thoughtful questions and clearly had a real interest in climate change and what the NHS is doing to respond to it.
“One of the most positive things about the day was seeing how engaged she was with the subject. Sustainability is about protecting the health and wellbeing of future generations, so it’s incredibly encouraging to see young people already thinking about these issues and challenging us to do more.
“The interview was great fun, but it also showed that children and young people have an important voice in the conversation about climate change. Flora reminded us that the next generation is passionate, informed and ready to play its part.
“The decisions we make today will shape the world that Flora’s generation inherits, and by taking meaningful climate action now, we can help to create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future for them and for generations to come.”
Michael Breen added: “It was a pleasure to meet Flora and take part in the interview. She came prepared with some excellent questions and certainly kept me on my toes.
“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing health services around the world, so it was encouraging to speak to someone from the next generation who is already so interested in the issue.
“If we are going to create a more sustainable NHS, everyone has a role to play, and young people like Flora will be an important part of that journey.”
To watch Flora’s interview in full, click here.
To find out more about sustainability within NHSGGC, go to: Sustainability – NHSGGC
