Sustainability at SaTH

We are immensely proud of our sustainability programme; we aim to create sustainable value with everything we do together with our staff, partners and stakeholders.

In conducting our business, we want to create sustainable value through innovative solutions. This conviction is the foundation on which the strong engagement of our people and the long-term successful development of SaTH is built.

Our ambition to operate sustainably throughout the Trust and along our entire value chain, will help to improve our effciency and reduce risks.

We aim to deliver high quality care and improved public health without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage. In addition to the responsibility we take for the safety and health of our patients, visitors and staff, we are committed to the protection of the environment and improving the quality of life of the population we serve.

Our vision is a sustainable health and care system that works within the available environmental and social resources, protecting and improving health now and for future generations, and adopts a positive approach to improving physical and social sustainability.

A Healthier Environment

A Healthier Environment

Reducing our impact on the natural and human environment through transport, energy and water usage, raw material consumption and waste management.

Resilience of our Services

Resilience of our Services

To ensure that our estate, services and staff are prepared for weather extremes, through having adequate Adaptation Plans in place.

Healthy Lives & Communities

Contributing to Healthy lives, communities and environments

Building immediate and longer terms benefits to reduce the care needs of the communities that we serve.

Development and Partnerships

Staff Engagement

Staff feedback told us our people wanted to be better engaged and involved in what’s happening at SaTH. To help us achieve this, we now have over 130 Engagement Champions.

Partnership development

We have developed key partnerships with stakeholding organisations to really drive sustainability throughout the organisation. We are utilising their technical and commercial acumen to reduce our environmental impact.

Our green spaces, originally developed with expert help from our partners, continue to protect and respect our natural environment, promote biodiversity and safeguard natural resources.

Next steps

Our Green Plan is being refreshed this year, targeting areas where progress potential has been identifed by the Sustainable Development Assessment Tool (SDAT).

1. Core responsibilities e.g. Carbon/GHGs, Corporate Approach, capital projects.

2. Governance and policy e.g. Travel and logistics, adaptation.

3. Procurement and supply chain e.g. Asset management and utilities, sustainable use of resources.

4. Working with staff, patients and communities e.g. Our people, green spaces and biodiversity, Sustainable Care Models.

Headline Achievements

Awards & Achievements

2019/2020 Improved Sustainability Score from 72 % (last year)
to 76%;
Reduction of 15% in buildings-carbon emission compared to last year;
Reduction of 73 tonnes CO2 through equipment reuse (and saving £155,000)

2020 SaTH Joins Warp-It exclusive £250k saved Club.

2019 Highly Commended for Telford BESST Award –Waste Management –

2018 Green Apple Award- Behavioural change- Warp-it

2018 Blue Business Award – Water Reduction Category; Winner

2017 Travel & Transport Award Winner –  NHS Sustainability Awards

2016 Highly Commended in the Cycle Planning Awards – “Most cycle friendly workplace”

2016 Winner “one small step” International Green Apple Award for the Built Environment.

2016 Water Award;Commended – NHS Sustainability Awards

2015 Winner of “Employer of the Year 2015” – Energize 

2015 NHS Sustainability Awards – Energy Award; Highly Commended.

2010 HEFMA – Good Practice Award Winner

Travel and Transport

  • Liftshare (staff scheme to share transport) – 448 active members
  • 143,000 miles shared/saved (28 tonnes CO2)
  • Active travel – cycle salary sacrifice scheme runs year round; 61 bikes purchased.
  • Working with Councils to improve access and transport infrastructure
  • Staff discounts for public transport, with better access (bus to Treatment Centre)

Reuse

  • Warp-it (recycling/re-using) system now has over 990 active users
  • CO2 emissions reduced by 73 tonnes
  • Total savings in year around £155k
  • Successful partnerships established with Ministry of Justice, Collect-Eco, Shropshire Council.

Energy

  • 15% reduction in buildings carbon emissions
    compared to last year
  • Installation of £800k of LED lighting.
  • Progress with specification for low-carbon energy provision under HTP

Procurement

  •  Sustainability questionnaire sent to top-20 Suppliers.
  • Stock delivered to site as required rather than held on site (reduce wasted stock).
  • Off site delivery consolidation reduces vehicles arriving at site.

Catering

  • Now using vegetable- based (bamboo) cutlery and takeaway containers.
  • No plastic straws.
  • Reusable cups available in Caffé Bistro (minimum 3,000 single-use cups saved)
  • Ward plastic cup usage in wards almost halved – 847,000 less last year

We are always delighted to receive comments and suggestions regarding sustainability matters, which can be directed via our dedicated email: sath.trustsustainability@nhs.net. You can read all of our facts, figures and information regarding our work towards a sustainable future in our Good Corporate Citizen Annual Report.