Mapping Greener Healthcare

Mapping Greener Healthcare – Case Studies from the South East

Best Practice in Sustainable Development, Good Corporate Citizenship and Greener Healthcare

The NHS in the South East recognized the importance of sustainability in their South East Regional Health Strategy for 2008. As a result the two Regional Directors of Public Health, John Newton and Yvonne Doyle, commissioned the Campaign for Greener Healthcare to map activities in sustainable development, good corporate citizenship or ‘greening’.

A web-based questionnaire has been created to allow trusts to share experiences in the implementation of sustainable projects. This resource also allows trusts to develop networks, tools and programmes to support each other across the various domains: energy and carbon management, procurement and food, transport and travel, water use, waste management, designing the built environment, workforce development, partnership and networks, finance and governance.

Of the 50 trusts in the South East Region, 23 trusts have at this point entered 46 projects on the mapping website. Fifteen trusts of the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority have entered 21 projects and 8 trusts of South Central contributed 26 projects. The majority of projects are led by departments of estates and facilities.

The highest number of projects, 17 (37%), fall into the area of carbon and energy management, 12 (26%) in the area of travel and transport, 5 (11%) in procurement and food, 4 (9%) in waste management, 4 (9%) in governance, 2 (4%) in design the built environment, 1 (2%) in water and 1 (2%) in organisational development.

Reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions seems to be the main driving force for the implementation of sustainable projects. On the other hand, good publicity and a positive impact on staff and the working environment were a common theme amongst positive outcomes quoted. Figures for financial savings and carbon savings and implementation costs were mostly estimates and varied reflecting the broad spectrum of projects.

It is unlikely that this mapping exercise has to date uncovered the full extent of sustainable activity across the Region. Some 50% of trusts have entered projects in this area on the mapping website. It can be expected that the website will be populated more comprehensively as it proves of use in signposting existing work and sharing information on what has worked and what hasn’t. The website was set up to enable this ongoing networking and, with continued support from the region, the aim is to engage 100% of Trusts in this important and increasingly urgent work.

Share/Save