Get Board endorsement, identify a senior 10:10 Project Lead and prepare a baseline carbon-footprint. Review the trust’s policies and make sure they all include sustainability and cutting carbon. Also identify a champion in each ward to engage the staff and promote steps to reduce the ward’s carbon emissions.
Cut 10% of your energy use by switching off electric devices when not in use, use low energy lighting, motion sensor light switches and energy-efficient fridges. Consider giving green awards to low carbon wards.
Book a Carbon Survey from the Carbon Trust, join the Carbon Trust NHS Network and the Carbon Trust Carbon Management Programme. Order useful posters and stickers for free from the Carbon Trust here.
Ensure waste is in the correct containers and recycle papers by placing recycling bins in all clinical areas. Conduct regular waste audits, set printers to print on double sides and reduce the numbers of unserved meals, food wastage and the use of disposable plates and cups.
Encourage carpools, cycling to work, provide public transport options and explain how much money can be saved on parking through your sustainable travel plan. Ensure that this information is widely publicised. Use tele/video conferencing to replace meetings, conventions and for CPA reviews.
Take up the help available from the Energy Saving Trust. Another useful site is www.liftshare.com
Reduce meat content of food (e.g. through Meat Free Mondays), ban bottled water, buy local seasonal food and use recycled paper. Also procure materials from providers with green credentials and set sustainable criteria in procurement contracts.
Help on sustainable procurement is available from the NHS Sustainable Development Unit's Procuring for Carbon Reduction resource, or from the Department for Health: sustainable.procurement@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
NICE have produced a briefing document: Making the case for sustainable procurement: the NHS as a good corporate citizen - download here.
WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) have produced some advice: Sustainable Procurement Making it Happen - download here
A National Sustainable Public Procurement Training Programme run by Global to Local has recently been piloted. Early feedback from the West Midlands Procurement Hub is very positive. For details of the syllabus, other aspects of the package and new developments contact: David Wright (Chair of the NSCPP Programme) davidwright@planaassocs.co.uk
Use electronic communications devices (hand-held devices, e-pens etc) to replace other physical vehicles for clinical communications and increase use of full electronic records and electronic patient letters.
Reduce carbon footprint through efficiencies in pharmaceuticals and medical kit (which make up one-third of the NHS carbon footprint). Use low carbon investigations and include carbon impacts in clinical audit.
Preventive care is low carbon health care. Healthy eating and active living will benefit health of those with depression– Encourage them to get out of their cars and start walking, cycling, gardening, dancing etc.
For help with active travel, try Walking the Way to Health or the Sustrans resources and also have a look at BTCV Green Gyms.
Communicate your low carbon efforts with staff, suppliers and patients. Engage them in 10:10 and work with them to cut emissions. Encourage and support administrative staff to innovate and drive sustainability on behalf of directors and consultants. Celebrate your joint successes. Make sure you get all your successes into the hospital magazine.
Look up the resources on www.carbonaddict.org or circulate the 10:10 Decarbonising Care Flyer to help spread the word.
Tell others how you are getting on. Sign up to the 10:10 Health mailing list for resources, updates and support. Form a 10: 10 email group with other mental health trusts and share success stories and discuss any problems.
