Devon Partnership NHS Trust to contribute to NHS green savings equivalent to half a million fewer cars on the road

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in News on 16th June, 2022

As the UK marks Clean Air Day (16th June) the Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) Green Plan is set to play its part in helping the NHS cut more than 1m tonnes of C02 emissions in the next three years – the equivalent of taking 520,000 cars off the road.

One of more than 200 new green plans put forward by NHS trusts across England, the plan by DPT sets out how it will reduce its environmental impact and help the NHS reach net zero by 2040. 

Collette Germon, Sustainability and Energy Manager at DPT said: "With air pollution alone contributing to 1 in 20 deaths in this country a year, it is clear we are facing a health emergency as well as a climate emergency. 

“Our Green Plan is a testament to our staff's commitment to tackling climate change, and we are proud to set out the positive actions we will take to reduce our impact on the environment and safeguard the future health of our children and grandchildren." 

The green plans lay out how the NHS, which contributes approximately 3.5% (9.5 billion miles) of all road travel in England, will make this travel greener. Smarter buildings, LED lighting and energy saving measures are also reducing emissions and saving NHS organisations money, while using intravenous anesthetic instead of gas and helping patients use inhalers more efficiently are improving patient care.

Initiatives at DPT include:

  • Reducing the number of our of county admissions to avoid travel
  • Promoting alternative forms of sustainable travel where required
  • Instaling automatic meter readings across our sites 
  • Adding to our fleet of electric vehicles 
  • Installing solar panels on our new Salus Ward in Torbay 

Dr Nick Watts, Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England said“The NHS was the first health system in the world to commit to net zero and the outstanding innovation and commitment from Devon Partnership NHS Trust is a vital step towards achieving that aim.  

“Doing our bit on climate change will directly improve public health and reduce health inequalities, cutting deaths caused by air pollution and ensuring a healthier future for our children.”

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