These case study cards are intended to be used in structured discussions, led by designers, with ward staff in NHS settings – as a way of opening out conversations around existing practice, its environmental impact, and potential routes to change. The cards can be used alongside other parts of the Green Ward Toolkit which form a suite of activities for observing, monitoring and changing practice in line with sustainability goals.

Instructions for use: Download the PDF and then print out the case study cards. In a group setting ask healthcare practitioners to first of all familiarise themselves with the cards and categories and individually choose one that they connect with or relate to. Using a pyramid group discussion structure (one person joins with another two to form a group of three), ask these smaller groups of people to discuss the relevance and importance of the case study they have chosen, and its relevance to their own working situation. Pool these stories and then ask the smaller groups to report back to the whole group as to common themes or topics emerging from the discussions. Appoint a scribe to draw/write/document these topics as they emerge, drawing out potential negative environmental impacts on a separate sheet, and then ask the group to consider, again in small groups of 3, how they might, in an ideal world, change some of these negative outcomes.