Hybrid Simulation Modelling to Support Net-Zero Healthcare Decision-Making for Green Operating Theatre Interventions

Thursday, July 16, 2026, 8:00 PM

Session: SOC Poster Session (Virtual 2) (Virtual)

Climate change creates a dual challenge for healthcare systems: responding to climate-related health impacts while reducing their own environmental footprint. This is particularly relevant in surgical care, where operating theatres are major contributors to hospital emissions, waste, and energy use. Green theatres aim to reduce environmental harm while maintaining patient safety and care quality, but their implementation involves trade-offs between environmental impact, cost, feasibility, and clinical priorities. This early-stage research focuses on green operating theatres within NHS Lanarkshire and aims to investigate how System Dynamics and Agent-Based Modelling could support the assessment and prioritisation of green theatre interventions. Current work includes ethics approval, document analysis, and two stakeholder interviews. Next steps include further interviews, causal loop diagram development, and conceptualisation of a future simulation model.