The Royal North Shore Hospital Burns Ambulatory Care Clinic developed 'No GA, No Delay: Skin Grafting the Sustainable Way' to treat minor burns that need a skin graft.
Traditionally, these procedures required an operating theatre, general anaesthetic and energy-intensive resources. The new model allows suitable patients to receive their skin graft in an outpatient clinic using local anaesthetic.
The Burns Ambulatory Care Clinic team introduced a standardised process with clear patient selection criteria, safety checks, and defined staff roles to ensure treatment is safe and effective. Between August 2025 and May 2026, 35 procedures were completed using this approach. Since that reporting period, further procedures have been successfully undertaken through the pathway, reinforcing the model's sustainability and scalability.
This new model reduced carbon emissions by 73%, used fewer clinical supplies and required only two staff members. It also saved $5,454 per patient, with clinical outcomes equal to procedures done in theatre, and ongoing implementation continuing to deliver environmental and operational benefits.
