Collaborative action for Sustainability: Designing Effective Core Teams at Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis Nijmegen - A qualitative study of the challenges and solution for sustainable actions

Abstract

At Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis (CWZ) and other Dutch hospitals, growing attention is given to sustainability. However, implementation of promising initiatives is obstructed by disparities between stakeholders, slowing progress. This research explores the potential of a core team to bridge that gap. It starts with an analysis of CWZ’s sustainability objectives, followed by interviews with sustainability coordinators from two other hospitals to understand their collaboration methods and challenges. Further interviews at CWZ identified persistent issues and possible solutions. A focus group with six participants then examined the most promising tasks for a core team and considered alternative approaches. Risks and preconditions for such a team were also discussed. Findings show that challenges stem not only from stakeholder collaboration, but also from low prioritisation of sustainability and unclear criteria for initiatives. A core team, consisting of managers, experts, and healthcare providers could accelerate the development of initiatives. However, limited time and prioritisation remain threats to its effectiveness. Future research should delve deeper into the social implications of collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and how these dynamics affect their roles within CWZ.