Positively Green

Clean Air Day takes place every year on 18th June to highlight the health risks that poor air quality poses. By cleaning up our air, we can all benefit from immediate and lasting health improvements, and help ensure that future generations can live happier, healthier lives.

Air pollution is a  health issue and has been shown to  negatively  impact the health of people of all ages. It is particularly harmful to those with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and can contribute to low birth weight and premature births. 

According to the Global Action Plan, air pollution causes:

• 36,000 deaths annually in the UK

• 6 million sick days annually in the UK

• 20,200 cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions annually in the UK 

Solutions to air pollution are also positive for public health. For example, switching to active transport rather than driving reduces the levels of air pollution and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. 

As part of our Green Plan, UHP has committed to achieving a score of ‘Excellent’ in the Clean Air Hospital Framework by 2028. This is so that as a Trust we can:

• limit the air pollution we generate to make the immediate  environment  healthier for our staff patients and visitors

• Educate staff, patient and visitors on the health impacts of air pollution and what they can do to limit their own impact and keep themselves safe

• Influence our wider community, supply chain and stakeholders to take air pollution into account when they are making decisions

As of June 2026, we currently have a Clean Air Hospital score of ‘Good’ and a plan in place to up this to ‘Excellent’. Take a look at some of the things we have done or are doing in relation to clean air at UHP: 

• Installed air quality monitors  outside  and inside the Derriford Hospital building to monitor our air pollution

• Attended the Cold and Damp Taskforce meetings to discuss how  clinicians  could have a role in highlighting help  available  to patients who continually present with illnesses related to poor indoor air quality 

• Created a green space map of the Derriford grounds to guide staff and patients. Access a downloadable copy of out green spaces map.

• Invested in our grounds and gardens. Well  maintained  and biodiverse green spaces have been shown to clean up our air and improve human wellbeing 

We can all make changes and decisions individually to help clean up our air. Below are some suggestions on how you can do that:

• Walk or wheel to work or school, using greener routes with less traffic when you can.

• Consider switching to an electric vehicle or leaving the car at home.

• If you need to drive, turn the engine off when you are not moving and it is safe to do so.

• Use fragrance-free, milder cleaning products and avoid plug-in fragrances.

• When decorating, choose safer paints and varnishes that are labelled ‘low VOC’.

• Ask people not to smoke or vape in your home.

• Avoid home burning (e.g. log burners, coal fires, or candles).

• Open windows that are away from main roads to ventilate your home.