Green plan

We’re taking action to make our hospitals and services more sustainable.

Our Green Plan sets out how we’ll reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and support healthier lifestyles over the next three years.

This includes greener travel options, better food choices, and using digital tools to reduce waste.

By working together with staff, patients, and our community, we aim to protect the environment and improve health for everyone.

It’s part of our commitment to a net zero NHS, creating a cleaner, safer future for all.

Workforce and leadership

• Integrate sustainability into relevant staff roles.
• Engage staff in sustainability through targeted training programmes.
• Deliver on our Sustainability communications plan.

Digital transformation

• Integrate sustainability into digital services through sustainability criteria in procurement and carbon impact assessment.
• Optimise digital infrastructure.
• Expand digitally-enabled care models.

Net zero clinical transformation

• Support Sustainable Quality Improvement initiatives in clinical areas.
• Establish multi-stakeholder working groups (for example, Green endoscopy group) to reduce impacts across high impact clinical pathways.
• Expand sustainability initiatives Trust-wide (for example, Strictly gloveless).

Medicines

• Address nitrous oxide wastage.
• Enhance inhaler recycling and promote a switch from metered dose inhalers to dry powder inhalers.
• Tackle overprescribing to reduce medicines waste.

Travel and transport

• Transition the Trust's fleet and lease arrangements to zero-emission vehicles.
• Develop and implement sustainable travel strategies.
• Encourage active travel among staff, patients and visitors through improved facilities, incentives and remote working policies.

Estates and facilities

• Decarbonise energy systems through the Salix-funded decarbonisation project.
• Provide energy efficiency and accountability training to Estates staff.
• Secure further funding to support the net zero transition.

Waste and resources

• Maintain and improve upon our clinical waste segregation.
• Reduce carbon emissions from waste management and enhance recycling rates.

Green space and biodiversity

• Successfully carry out the Greenspaces transformation scheme.
• Establish long-term partnerships with local charities and social impact organisations.

Supply chain and procurement

• Procure goods and services with a consideration of economic, environmental and social factors through the inclusion of social value, circular economy and sustainability criteria.
• Strengthen supplier engagement and seek opportunities to reduce environmental impacts during service delivery.

Food and nutrition

• Improve sustainability of catering facilities by managing food waste, reducing packaging waste and offering sustainable menu options.

Adaptation

• Implement the Climate Adaptation Plan and address climate change risks to infrastructure and services.