Department of Health

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Sustainable development

Sustainable Development is on the Government's agenda for the long-term.  Although climate change is the most serious global environmental threat, promoting new, modern, sustainable ways of living, working, producing and travelling also stand to achieve wider benefits to human health and well-being (taken from "Securing the Future - delivering UK sustainable development strategy"). This is in accordance with the Department's commitment to sustainable development and in line with the principles of the White Paper "Our health, our care, our say".  The key is to embrace the concept and take this forward with renewed vigour to realise the benefits from social reform, improved environmental performance and realise the economic rewards necessary to maintain the impetus.

Sustainable development in the NHS

The environment in which people live and work, has a key influence on their health. Environmental considerations must therefore be taken into account when building or adapting facilities in which NHS services are delivered.

Sustainability mind map

To help you keep track of the impact of climate change and sustainability on estates and facilities, the Gateway Review Estates and Facilities Division (DH GREFD) have put together a mind map. DH GREFD is responsible for Government policy and strategic overview. The newly-formed NHS Sustainable Development Unit will have responsibility for operational and implementational practice across the NHS.

We hope that you find it a helpful tool and welcome your comments. This is a live document and will be updated to reflect changes in legislation and advice.

Please email your comments to:

Preparedness for floods

Weather patterns are changing and instances of severe weather that could cause flooding are increasing. All NHS trusts should therefore develop contingency plans in case of flooding and flood risk should be considered when siting facilities.

Energy

Overview

Energy-use levels are high in NHS healthcare facilities due to the requirements of heating, cooling, lighting, IT equipment and specialist medical equipment. However, energy savings can be made by turning lights off, using energy saving devices and replacing inefficient plant and equipment. The NHS is now half way through the mandatory energy/carbon efficiency target period March 2000 to March 2010. It is imperative that the agenda is kept alive and efforts to achieve efficiency savings remain a high priority. EnCO2de - making energy work in healthcare guidance document is now available.

Energy Efficiency Fund

Published: 18/02/2008 15:20

Application procedure for £100m funding to help NHS increase energy efficiency and contribute to the Government's Climate Change Programme through improvements in electrical efficiency, building insulation, combined heat and power installations.

NHS environmental assessment tool (NEAT)

NEAT is now interactive and available on-line at www.efm.ic.nhs.uk - phone the Helpdesk on 0113 254 7010 for a password. The NHS Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT) is a software tool designed to assess the negative impact of healthcare facilities on the environment. NEAT can be applied to any type of NHS healthcare facility and is suitable for use by NHS trusts and organisations who act on behalf of the NHS.

Procurement

NHS trusts buy in bulk and can therefore demand products and services that are less damaging to the environment. The Procurement stage is the ideal time to buy energy efficient products and to buy recycled products thus avoiding wastage.

Transport

Effective transport management is essential to minimise the negative environmental impact of healthcare related transport. Ambulances, patients, visitors, staff, suppliers, contractors arriving and leaving from healthcare facilities and vehicles delivering community-base healthcare can all lead to congestion, pollution and increased numbers of road traffic accidents. New guidance document "Transport Management and Car Parking" is now available.

Waste

Waste is a substance or object that is no longer part of the normal commercial cycle or chain of utility. Most waste goes to landfill, incineration or is disposed of using alternative technologies. Waste, irrespective of its disposal method, has the potential to pollute land, air and water. Waste is a costly wasted resource. Waste needs to be managed - prevented, reduced, recovered, reused. The Government expects the public sector to lead by example and find solutions to waste prevention and minimisation to reduce costs and save resources.

Water

Water is a precious resource that should not be wasted or polluted. Water is also costly. Users must pay for their water supply twice, once as it comes through the taps and again for sewerage costs. Be aware that waste discharged to sewer needs licensed consents from your Water Authority/Water Undertaker. Things like macerated disposable bed pans can cause damage to sewage pipes and motors. Under the 'polluter pays' principle any clean up costs could be at the expense of the waste producer. If in doubt - check it out.

Additional links

Good Corporate Citizenship

Good Corporate Citizenship describes how NHS organisations can embrace sustainable development and tackle health inequalities through their day-to-day activities.

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