The basis of a sustainable hospital is with its staff and its interaction with the local community and system. NGH staff, in the last three years, have already helped change practices in their chosen fields, and shared their learning nationally. We aim to continue this work and to drive change through our local system and at a wider level.
Where we are now:
We have a multidisciplinary Sustainable Development Committee that oversee the work and set the direction for the Trust’s sustainability plans. The UHN Director of Strategy is appointed as board lead for Sustainability. As well as the regular meetings of the internal Sustainability committee we also attend Northamptonshire ICB Sustainability Meetings and work with our partners at the local Council, Community Trust and Universities to explore options for a wider range of sustainability improvements.
We aim to give all staff the ability to make informed decisions about their service areas, have included sustainability in all job descriptions and send a regular sustainability newsletter highlighting good practice and providing educational pieces. All Foundation Year Doctors have a session specifically relating to sustainable healthcare in their training, and third year medical students at Leicester University attend an afternoon including small group workshops to help them understand the impact and opportunities of sustainable healthcare.
We have recently established a UHN Go Greener Nursing and AHP group that is undertaking a number of projects highlighted as priorities by the Regional Nursing teams.
We have run three Green Team competitions which include the use of Sustainable Quality Improvement principles to create lasting changes in numerous areas of the Trust as well as delivering social and financial impacts.
Our Associate Director of Infection Prevention was the Royal College of Nursing’s Green Nurse of the Year in 2023, three members of the Pharmacy Team completed the NHS Leadership for Sustainable Healthcare intensive training, our Ward Sister from Critical Care has completed a Florence Nightingale Foundation course, led workshops in the regional Critical Care Quality Improvement Network and organised a full day event; Critical Sustainability. Two members of staff are currently on a Level 4 Sustainable Healthcare Apprenticeship and we also hosted an NHS England Level 3 Junior Energy Manager Apprentice.
Our aims are to:
Workforce and System Leadership Action Plan
|
| Action Make Net Zero Healthcare training mandatory for senior staff |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Board Decision |
| Action Include sustainability in Quality Improvement training |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Quality Improvement |
| Action Continue to explore teaching opportunities both within the Trust and externally |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Sustainability |
| Action Promote external training opportunities for staff |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Sustainability |
| Action Streamline data and reporting processes to produce a dashboard for projects and outcomes available to staff |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Sustainability |
| Action Update the intranet and internet pages |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Sustainability |
| Action Review recruitment information to include net zero |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Human Resources |
| Action Board training for sustainability |
Financial Investment Medium |
When 2026 |
Responsible Department Board Level |
| Action Review options for lunch and learn sessions for staff |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department Sustainability |
| Action Nominate a Green Plan lead for each area of focus to report back to the Sustainability Committee |
Financial Investment Low |
When 2027 |
Responsible Department All |
In addition, we will continue to play a key role in the anchor institution work and participate in national and regional events to share best practice.
Measurement
The number of QI projects with sustainability as a measured outcome
The number of staff attending undertaking sustainability training opportunities
The number of business cases with sustainability considerations included
The number of local sustainability projects undertaken