We are a group of motivated individuals from healthcare, marine science, environmental/public health, commercial shipping and active living. We work in our own time to ensure ocean health is considered and where appropriate included within healthcare strategy.

Healthcare Ocean was founded in 2020 by two physicians in the UK NHS, Dr Richard Hixson (Consultant in Critical Care) and Dr Georgina (Georgie) Sowman (General Practitioner [GP]) who care deeply about the Ocean. The organisation was formally launched in 2021 (https://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/nhsoceanlaunch/).

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We've developed into a network of motivated individuals from healthcare, marine science, environmental/public health, commercial shipping, and active living. Our aim is to conserve and protect coastal and marine ecosystems through minimising harm resulting from the procurement and delivery of healthcare whilst increasing awareness of the benefits to human health and wellbeing from healthy seas, coasts, and waterways.

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We aim to promote the ethos of Ocean and Us, recognising all interactions must take place with care to minimise harm whilst improving access to high quality blue spaces for all, reducing inequalities, and enhancing the health and wellbeing of our population. We listen to increase our understanding of the complex interface between the delivery of healthcare, procurement, economics, and the planet; aiming to educate both healthcare professionals and the public on the interdependence between human, planetary and oceanic health.

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We all work in our own time to ensure ocean health is considered and where appropriate included within healthcare strategy. We are not affiliated with any specific healthcare provider or government organisation but work with those who share our vision, supporting the implementation of solutions through facilitating collaboration. Healthcare Ocean signpost organisations who wish to invest in sustainability-related projects to legitimate schemes.

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We believe the concept of “first, do no harm” (primum non nocere) should extend from the patient and community to the planet; and therefore, we advocate to ensure oceanic and blue health is never forgotten by decision makers and the healthcare sector.

Richard Hixson

Consultant in Critical Care

NHS England's Sustainable Procurement Forum

UK National Committee for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Centre Scientifique de Monaco Workshop on Human Health and Plastic Pollution

Designer of www.cpdmatch.com

Co-founder Healthcare Ocean

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardhixson/