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Greener NHS Bulletin
January 2022
A message from Dr Nick Watts, NHS Chief Sustainability Officer
We started 2021 with one health service in the world committed to delivering net zero: the NHS. I am hugely excited to say that we begin 2022 with at least 14 national health systems with net zero targets. This is in no small part thanks to the bold leadership of the NHS, its partners and suppliers, and the collective support of more than 1.4 million NHS staff – almost nine in ten of whom support a greener NHS.
We’re on the road to delivering a net zero health service. And we're off to a strong start this year.
- We've launched the second NHS Chief Sustainability Officer’s Clinical Fellow Scheme. Building on the success of the last year, we are expanding this scheme, and are keen to attract a diverse range of future clinical and sustainability leaders.
- New planning guidance issued to NHS organisations ahead of the Christmas break continues to embed the response to climate change into core business. Trusts and ICBs, once established, are expected to have a board-level Net Zero lead and a Green Plan.
- We announced £1 million in funding for ten winning innovations as part of the first Net Zero SBRI Healthcare Competition.
- The Greener NHS COP26 photography exhibition has left Newcastle and is on its way to Manchester, as part of a national tour. If you would like to host this unique collection of nine inspiring sustainable healthcare stories in your NHS organisation, read on to find out more.
Collaboration across the NHS, with our partners, suppliers and industry at large, is vital as we work to build a greener NHS. I look forward to working with you all over the coming year.
Dr Nick Watts
Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England and NHS Improvement
Headline news
NHS Sustainability Clinical Fellowship open for applications
The NHS Chief Sustainability Officer’s Clinical Fellow Scheme offers clinicians with a passion for sustainability a unique opportunity to help build a greener NHS and improve health now and for generations to come.
The scheme welcomes applications from allied health professionals, dentists, doctors in training, healthcare scientists, nurses, midwives, and pharmacists from across the UK. It is sponsored by NHS England and NHS Improvement and is managed by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM). The deadline for applications is 23 February 2022. You can find out more about the scheme and how to apply on the FMLM website.
Ten winning innovations super-charge NHS net zero progress
SBRI Healthcare has awarded a total of £1 million to ten pioneering MedTech and Digital innovations to support the delivery of a net zero NHS, in partnership with the Greener NHS Programme and the Accelerated Access Collaborative.
The first ever Net Zero SBRI Healthcare competition attracted 46 submissions from a range of organisations, including small businesses, technology start-ups and NHS Trusts. Find out more about the competition and the ten winning innovations.
Thank you: NHS Trusts submit Green Plans
Many NHS trusts will now have finalised their board-approved Green Plans, with the deadline being 14th January 2022. We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the development of these plans. These plans feature pioneering interventions that will help the NHS reach its net zero ambitions, and will help improve health now and for future generations. NHS trusts are also asked to submit their Green Plan to their ICS, so the ICS can bring together a consolidated, system wide plan by 31st March 2022. It is also best practice if trusts can publish these plans online, so patients and the public can see the progress the NHS is making.
Looking for more support? Trust and ICS sustainability leads should contact their Greener NHS regional teams and join the Greener NHS workspace: Future NHS.
Quick reads
NIHR invests in delivery of net zero health and care systems
The NIHR has launched a new sustainability-themed package of funding for research into climate and health, as announced at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). As part of the package, NIHR has also established a new call for research to support the delivery of a net zero health and social care system. The call opened on 9th November 2021 and will close on 24th May 2022. You can find out more information here.
NHS Planning Guidance embeds net zero ambitions
In line with priorities set out by NHS England and NHS Improvement, the 2022/23 NHS operational planning guidance includes commitments on net zero. It asks that NHS organisations ensure they have appointed a board-level net zero lead, and have a Green Plan in place, and deliver on this throughout 2022/23.
The 2022/23 NHS Standard Contract, currently out for consultation, also proposes more detailed measures on sustainability for NHS providers to follow, including a reduction from 10% to 5% of the percentage of desflurane used as a proportion of all volatile gases, as well as a requirement for NHS trusts to adhere to PPN 06/20. From April 2022, all NHS tenders will be subject to a 10% minimum social value weighting.
Get involved!
New Year, new call for case studies to share and showcase progress
We're keen to identify, share, and celebrate some of the best stories of greener health and care from across the NHS; here are just a few examples of the great case studies we have already. If you have seen, or are involved in, an exciting programme or project that is helping the NHS to reach its net zero target, and think others could benefit from finding out more, please get in touch with the team here: greener.nhs@nhs.net.
Host the Greener NHS COP26 Exhibition in your NHS organisation!
Due to demand, the Greener NHS is offering a limited number of NHS organisations and organisations that work closely with the NHS the opportunity to host the Greener NHS COP26 Photography Exhibition [accessible online here]. The exhibition was unveiled at COP26 in Glasgow, inspiring leaders from around the world to step up ambition with the aim of improving healthcare and health outcomes. To express your interest and find out more, please contact greener.nhs@nhs.net.
Job opportunities
Do you have the skills, experience and passion to support the Greener NHS programme? There are roles both in the team and embedded within other parts of NHS England and NHS Improvement that are driving action on climate change to improve health, and help reach net zero. Find out more.