AXREM makes strides in sustainability
In its mission to tackle the climate emergency, AXREM established its sustainability special focus group (SFG), a platform for its members to engage and collaborate with the NHS England Sustainability Team and NHS Supply Chain. By working in collaboration, it aims to tackle challenges in achieving the NHS net zero target.
More than 60 per cent of the total NHS carbon footprint sits within the NHS supply chain, so reducing supply chain emissions will be crucial to reaching net zero by 2045, says AXREM. This target includes emissions from freight, manufacturing of goods, catering, business services and construction.
ESG manager at Canon Medical Systems Anu Huhtisaari has been appointed vice chair of the sustainability SFG and will support Philips Health Systems sustainability lead UKI Chris Taylor, who will be undertaking a second term as convenor of the group.
Huhtisaari has spent much of her career driving multi-stakeholder collaboration, including leading working groups, and commented: “I believe collaboration is essential for making progress towards net zero and I look forward to working more closely with AXREM and key stakeholders to foster sector-wide cooperation on sustainability.”
The work of the SFG was recognised with a bronze award in the Transformation Impact Award – Sustainability and CSR at the Association Excellence Awards 2024.
AXREM CEO Sally Edgington said: “I am so proud to lead such a hardworking team that really cares about the service we deliver to our members, and I feel incredibly privileged and lucky to have the best members. They go above and beyond and engage with AXREM to a level most associations would dream of. The event was an opportunity to celebrate all the work done by AXREM and all the other trade associations that work tirelessly for their members and to represent their industries.”
Taylor added: “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire AXREM sustainability special focus group and its unique mix of AXREM members and key stakeholders in the healthcare industry in the UK. We are committed to driving impactful change and will continue our journey towards a more sustainable future, supporting the NHS net zero ambition.
“I would also like to acknowledge the commitment by Philips and Mark Leftwich [managing director], who recognised how vital the part sustainability plays in healthcare, and so allocated a permanent role for myself in this area. This allows me to commit the time needed for the vital work we do at AXREM.”
Lead picture: AXREM members celebrate recognition of the special focus group’s sustainability efforts at an awards ceremony in London.
Read this report on page 10 of the February 2025 issue of RAD Magazine.
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