Learning network for NHS estates, facilities and procurement managers addressing sustainability priorities that also deliver improved health outcomes within the NHS.
Introduction
“What a great cross-sector group you have convened. Its a really good model where organisations like SWM can add value in bringing in a range of health sector partners, including the private sector to tackle sustainability issues. I will be promoting your model nationally”.
Dr. David Pencheon, Sustainable Development Unit.
The West Midlands NHS Sustainability Network (WMNHS) is aimed at providing advice, guidance, good practice ideas, networking and collaboration opportunities related to sustainability for those working in the NHS. We hope to ensure that the principles of sustainable, low carbon healthcare remain a high priority for all Trusts across the NHS whilst taking account of pressures being applied from other areas including national NHS structures, the drive for cost reduction to protect ‘front-line services and wading through the complexity and myriad of guidance.
Themes of focus are not limited to the following:
- Carbon management and reduction;
- Funding for low carbon projects;
- Renewable energy;
- Energy efficiency and best practice management;
- Fuel poverty;
- Air quality;
- Climate resilience and adaptation
- Behaviour change;
- Waste minimisation and recycling
- Water management
- Sustainable and active transport;
- Sustainable procurement.
Why run this network?
Launched: Tuesday 4 November 2014
Through the running the WMNHS, we aim to influence joint action towards our 2030 sustainability priorities by levering in new funding, saving the NHS money via improved resource management and protecting those in its care by ensuring a resilient philosophy is engendered throughout the sector.
Like all of our networks, we aim to instil partnership working by bringing together a cross-sector of organisations to share good practice on sustainable public health initiatives. We will do this by providing the network with key updates, running events, levering in funding and sharing new legislation.
Audience
Anyone in the NHS in the West Midlands who has a remit not limited to the following is welcome to join this network:
- Energy managers;
- Sustainability / carbon reduction officers;
- Procurement officers;
- Estates managers;
- Waste managers / recycling officers;
- CSR officers.
We also run the West Midlands Public Sector Sustainability and Energy Network and the West Midlands Sustainability and Public Health Network, which may also be of interest.
Although our outreach will largely focus on the West Midlands, we welcome national bodies or those outside the West Midlands region joining the network if it is appropriate for their role – and appreciate that most events we run will take place in or around Birmingham!
Chair of the Network
We are pleased that Fran Silcocks, Sustainability Officer at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and Cris Calleja, Sustainability Manager at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, are Co-Chairs for this Network.
Cristina has worked in the sustainability world for fifteen years but this is her first role in the NHS. She is really excited about improving the patients’ environment and hospital experience whilst reducing environmental impact. You can find out more about her here.
Fran leads on sustainability across two major, acute NHS Trust’s in Birmingham – Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Across both Trusts, Fran is responsible for developing, managing and embedding the sustainability strategy and works to improve sustainability performance to meet local and national targets. She is also responsible for promoting and communicating sustainability across both organisations. Prior to joining the NHS, Fran worked at the Carbon Trust and Innocent Smoothies, helping businesses measure and manage their carbon footprint.
National Express Group, which operates in the UK some 1,600 buses and 1,800 coaches, announced a vision to switch to zero-emissions vehicles. They pledge to not buy another diesel bus in the UK. The ambition is to have a fully zero emission bus fleet by 2030 and a coach fleet by 2035, making National Express the first zero emission transport group in the UK.
Under the Weather – on climate impacts affecting the health sector
Sustainable Development Unit – for many sustainability and health resources
Learning for Public Health West Midlands – for local resources
Carbon Trust – for all public sector carbon management ideas
Carbon Conversion Factors – for carbon management reporting
BEIS – for reports and legislation
Wrap – for life cycle analysis and waste minimisation
Interested in joining?
If you’d like to join this exciting network, please contact enquiries@swm.org.uk.
Have a browse through our Events and News pages for any information and workshops coming up around health and the NHS, and do interrogate our Resources page to find any related resources from SWM or elsewhere, including events we have previously run for the NHS. For each of these, you can filter results using the ‘health’ tag.
Sponsorship
We’re delighted that National Express West Midlands are sponsoring our health networks. More effective use of public transport including local buses can reduce air pollution and congestion, help with car parking issues, provide safe transport of staff and visitors, and bring benefits wellbeing and self-sufficiency. Look out for a partnership event covering all these topics in the next few months.