Climate change poses a significant threat to our health as well as our planet. The environment is changing at a fast pace, and this has direct and immediate consequences for our patients and their communities.
The NHS has made a commitment to deliver a net zero national health system by 2040 (for emissions the NHS controls). This means improving healthcare while reducing harmful carbon emissions and investing in efforts that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Achievement of a net zero NHS will take a significant, sustained effort from staff, suppliers, patients, partners, and the wider community.
BaNES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care System (ICS) fully supports the achievement of a net zero NHS by 2040 and the Greener NHS Programme.
BaNES, Swindon & Wiltshire Together Green Plan 2022-25
Our BSW Together Green Plan has been developed in partnership with health and social organisations across the region.
The infographic below shows our key areas of focus and the work we're planning to do.
To read about our Green Plan in more detail you can view the full document below:
Green Achievements
As a system we are already undertaking work to improve sustainability. Here are some of our achievements so far:
GWH switch to LED lighting reduced electrical demand by 30%
ICS Executives are undertaking training in environmental sustainability
SFT produces 4% of energy from onsite solar panels
From April 2022, all BSW partners will include a 10% minimum social value weighting in procurement processes
BSW is in the lowest quartile for metered-dose inhalers prescriptions compared to the national averages
RUH catering and food contract already exceeds government guidelines and meets Soil Association standards