Speaker: Dr Sarah Royston (University of Sussex)
Digitalisation is a key priority for the NHS (and other health services worldwide), and has been cited as a way for the health sector to cut carbon emissions, while simultaneously achieving core objectives such as reducing costs and improving patient experience. For example, it is claimed that 'telehealth' initiatives such as remote monitoring and virtual consultations can reduce both travel demand and the use of highly-energy-demanding services such as hospitals, by shifting the locations of healthcare. In this seminar I will review what we know (and don't know) about health sector digitalisation and its impacts on energy demand, and discuss ways forward for research on this important topic.
Sarah is working on invisible energy policy with the DEMAND Centre: http://www.demand.ac.uk/influencing-demand/#invisible
The seminar series is open to all and free to attend, there will be a talk followed for the opportunity for questions and discussion.