Sustainability Week at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
We’re delighted to see that Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is showcasing the ways in which its community can take part in sustainable initiatives this week.
Salix is already working closely with the Trust on its decarbonisation journey and we will be following and supporting it every step of the way.
Their Sustainability Week kickstarted with a focus on waste reduction. On Monday, staff were encouraged to take part in a ‘what waste goes where’ game to highlight how best to separate clinical and domestic waste while Tuesday focused on the impact of the food that we eat.
The Trust highlighted the impact of the sector’s food and services, with information showcasing that they account for approximately 6% of the NHS’ Carbon Footprint.
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust have introduced reusable cups and lunchboxes to help cut down on single use items, with discounts offered to staff and visitors on food and drink with every use.
The Trust also offers a sustainable menu including seasonal ingredients, which helps to reduce their carbon footprint further, as the amount of energy needed to grow and transport the food is reduced when it comes from a local source.
On Wednesday, the Trust highlighted their free bike service to all staff to encourage a sustainable commute.
Gemma Heath, Sustainability Manager at the Trust, said: “We’re asking staff to lower their carbon footprint, but it’s key that we provide the tools and support for them to do so, which is why an initiative like the free bike service is so important.
“We also provide a free e-bike loan scheme and have created secure bike shelters so they can rest assured their bikes are safe on site.”
Today’s theme will focus on the role of the workforce, with the Trust recruiting sustainability champions to represent different departments. These individuals will encourage sustainable habits among their teams such as recycling and car sharing.
The week will close with an emphasis on sustainable travel. The trust supports a 40% bus discount for staff to use on their local bus service, so that they might opt for a lower carbon commute.
Gemma added: “This is a crucial part of creating that conversation surrounding sustainability and our personal contributions to the solutions.”
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is in the process of delivering a £10m project following funding from Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.
Works funded by the scheme include heat pumps, solar PV and building fabric improvements, including double-glazing and insulation. The ambition is to cut carbon emissions and improve the environment for patients and staff.
Congratulations to everyone at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust for increasing the conversations surrounding sustainability and for acting toward lowering their carbon footprints.
Coming next week: Keep an eye out for our story on the impact of these upgrades and read more about our team visit to Salisbury on our website next week.
