We are pleased to be working in partnership with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust in delivering the ‘Green Plan’, which was launched on 22 April 2021.  

The Green Plan sets out how the Trust (and NTW Solutions) aims to reduce its carbon emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2040, and actions it will take to meet other sustainability goals by 2026.

These actions cover a wide range of topics and include reducing energy consumption by 5%; promoting further research into how improving access to nature and green spaces can support people’s wellbeing; reducing the use of single-use plastic across the Trust in line with the NHS Plastic Reduction Pledge; increasing the provision of recycling bins by at least 50%; and reviewing the environmental and social impact of the Trust’s current supply chains.

Progress against these actions will be measured and reported regularly to the Trust Board and to NTW Solutions Board.

The Trust has already begun making changes to become more sustainable. In April last year the Trust switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy. The redevelopment of Northgate Hospital in Northumberland, run by the Trust, will see it become one of forty new “net zero” hospitals being built to a new Net Zero Carbon Hospital Standard as part of the government’s Health Infrastructure Plan.

Ken Jarrold CBE, Chair of the Council of Governors and Board of Directors at the Trust, said:

The effects of climate and ecological change are very likely to negatively affect the physical and mental health of the UK population. We recognise our responsibility to deliver our services in a sustainable way which meets the needs of the people who needs our services today, while minimising harm to future generations. Our new Green Plan sets out how we are going to do this.

We believe that by focussing on hope and opportunities for change and recovery, in line with our Trust’s core values, together we can make a positive impact.

Our Managing Director, Malcolm Aiston demonstrates a real passion and determination which is supported by his Senior Team in taking action to reduce climate change and ultimately avoid potentially irreversible environmental damage.

Malcolm would like to share some of the changes we have made so far:-

• Piloting the use of full electric and plug-in hybrid vans in the South Estates Team.
• Offering a home EV charge point as part of the lease car scheme to encourage the switch to low carbon vehicles.
• Installing additional EV charge points at St George’s Park and Carleton Clinic.
• Swapping plastic straws, cutlery and coffee cups in cafes for eco-friendly alternatives.
• Promoting “bring your own container” for takeout food and hot drinks in cafes.
• Rolling out a mixed recycling scheme to community sites as well as main hospital sites.
• Managing the Warpit surplus equipment reuse system which has saved over £250,000 in 4 years.
• Purchased 100% green electricity as part of the Utilities Management Service to the Trust.
• Preparing bids for national energy efficiency funding on behalf of the Trust.
• Retro-fitting low carbon heat pumps at Monkwearmouth Hospital as part of heating system upgrade.
• Planting 1,000 trees in April 2021 as part of the NHS Forest project.