Rhea Conn is an experienced critical care nurse and sustainability leader, currently serving as Clinical Sustainability Nurse Specialist in the Nursing Directorate at NHS England. With nearly 15 years of clinical experience caring for acutely ill patients, Rhea has combined her clinical expertise with a passion for environmental action to help lead the NHS toward its net zero ambitions.

Her interest in sustainability began early in her career, and over the years she has driven impactful projects including reducing carbon emissions through reusable PPE, lowering waste in intensive care, and embedding circular economy principles across clinical settings.

In 2023-24, Rhea was part of the Chief Sustainability Officers Clinical Fellows Scheme, stepping into a hybrid role to scale her sustainability work beyond her local trust. She works nationally to support nurses and midwives in recognising sustainability as a measure of high-quality care, shaping policy, building systems, and empowering clinicians to respond to the climate crisis as a health crisis.

Rhea is a strong advocate for integrating sustainability into nursing leadership, education and practice. She believes in the importance of evidence-based change, collaborating across disciplines, and building capacity and culture so that sustainability becomes part of everyday healthcare delivery.