Positively Green

The loss of insects has far reaching consequences for entire ecosystems. They provide a food source for many small mammels. birds, amphibians, bats and reptiles, while plants rely on insects for pollination. In the UK we have around 267 different species of bee. Of these, just 1 is our native honey bee, 25 are bumble bees and the rest are solitary bees.

With No Mow May underway, UHP are proud to affirm our approach to establishing wildflower meadows across our site!

In December 2020, the Trust published its Green Plan, “For a Greener Future”, and declared a Climate Emergency. In the Green Plan, the Trust made a commitment for all new building and refurbishment projects to meet net zero carbon standards. This commitment was exemplified by the refurbishment of Brittany House (the old Norwich Union Building) which was completed to an Energy Performance Certificate B rating, demonstrating the sustainable design approach adopted for the refurbishment.

Glove Awareness Week took place this year during the first week of May and this year, we decided to add a sustainability angle to the campaign.

Health care has a significant carbon footprint as it is, being responsible for 4-5% of greenhouse gases globally. In the UK, the NHS creates 6.3% of England’s carbon emissions alone.

A general surgery team from the Trust were finalists in the Green Surgery Challenge 2021, thanks to their project on reducing the consumption of single-use surgical equipment.

At University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, we are acutely aware of the social responsibility that goes hand in hand with an anchor institution status. Wherever we can, we want to give back to the local community that makes up UHP’s patient, staff, and visitor groups.

As we approach this years Global Recycling Day on 18th March, it's important to highlight just how imperative recycling is across the globe. Of the earth’s natural resources, we tend to think of six as the most important: water; air; oil; natural gas; coal; minerals.

These resources represent our entire existence on the planet and today, we rely on their resources for food, hydration, power, clothing, technology, transportation – the list goes on and on.  

Healthcare provision is constantly transforming and improving as the use of technology continues to modernise and opens up new opportunities for more efficient systems, faster drug or vaccine development, earlier predictions of diseases as well as making accessing services or information easier. And it is the latter that might seem small, but can be hugely beneficial with electronic versions of care leaflets being available at the touch of a button.

It gives the Sustainability Team great pleasure to announce the first birthday of our staff sustainable behaviour programme, Choosing Greener, which has focussed on embedding sustainable behaviours, helping us to do our bit for the environment.