The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Sustainability Policy

Transcription

1 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Sustainability Policy Version No.: 2.0 Effective From: 22 December 2017 Expiry Date: 22 December 2020 Date Ratified: 20 July 2017 Ratified By: Sustainable Healthcare Committee 1 Introduction The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises that it has a responsibility to carry out its operations in a sustainable manner by minimising its impact on the environment, preparing for changes in climate, ensuring efficient use of our resources and maximising funds for patient care. The Climate Change Act 2008 sets mandatory environmental targets for organisations to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050 (from a 1990 baseline). The NHS has set its own interim target of a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 28% by 2020 (from a 2013 baseline). The Sustainable Development Unit s Sustainable Development Strategy for the Health & Care Sector states that all NHS Trusts must produce a board level strategy and action plan explaining how they will achieve these targets. This policy, in referring to the Trust high level Sustainable Healthcare Strategy, and accompanying Sustainable Development Management Plan, aims to set out how the Trust will achieve these targets and strive to carry out healthcare activities in a sustainable manner. 2 Scope This policy applies to all members of staff working within The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The policy also commits contractors and suppliers to support the delivery of our Sustainable Healthcare Strategy through partnership approach. 3 Aims Building on our Trust commitment to deliver Healthcare at its very best with a personal touch, our vision for sustainability is for us to deliver these services within the available environmental and social resources, protecting and improving health now and for future generations. This means working to reduce carbon emissions, minimising waste and pollution, making the best use of scarce resources, building resilience to a changing climate and nurturing community strengths and assets. 4 Duties (Roles and responsibilities) 4.1 Trust Board Page 1 of 6

2 The Trust Board is responsible for ensuring environmentally sustainable development and carbon reduction activities are implemented across the organisation. 4.2 Chief Executive The Chief Executive is ultimately responsible for ensuring effective environmentally sustainable development within the organisation and therefore supports the Trust-wide implementation of this policy. 4.3 Executive Group The Executive Group is responsible for ensuring that the approval of all new strategies, capital investments and major contracts takes sustainable development and carbon reduction into account. 4.4 Directorate Managers and Directorate Directors Directorate Managers, and Directorate Directors, are responsible to the Executive Group for ensuring effective implementation of this policy. 4.5 Ward Managers and Heads of Department Ward and department managers are responsible for ensuring policy implementation and compliance within their area(s). 4.6 All Staff All staff are responsible for complying with this policy and have a responsibility for advising patients and visitors of their need for compliance with this policy. 5 Definitions 5.1 Sustainable Development There are several definitions of sustainable development but the most commonly accepted is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This comes from the United Nation s Brundtland Report, Our Common Future, in The Sustainable Development Strategy for the NHS, Public Health and Social Care System provides a more healthcare specific definition: A sustainable health and care system works within the available environmental and social resources, protecting and improving health now and for future generations. This means working to reduce carbon emissions, minimising waste & environmental pollution, making the best use of scarce resources, building resilience to a changing climate and nurturing community strengths and assets. 5.2 Carbon Dioxide Emissions Page 2 of 6

3 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a naturally occurring gas that exists in the Earth s atmosphere. It is an important greenhouse gas which allows our atmosphere to keep the Earth s surface warm enough to support life. Human activities since the industrial revolution have rapidly increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming and climate change. The legal requirement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from human activity in the UK was set out in the Climate Change Act Sustainability In recognising its responsibilities to carry out its operations in a sustainable manner the Trust has developed the following policy structure and governance arrangements. 6.1 Sustainable Healthcare Strategy The Trust Sustainable Healthcare Strategy sets out the case for sustainability in the NHS, our Trust performance to date and lists the main objectives and direction for the Trust. Key sustainability themes have been established which contain overarching aims and commitments which feed into the action plan known as the Sustainable Development Management Plan (SDMP). The Strategy and SDMP have been produced following guidance produced by the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU). 6.2 Sustainable Development Management Plan (SDMP) The SDMP is the Trust s action plan for delivering on the objectives set out in the Trust Sustainable Healthcare Strategy. The action plan includes SMART targets, with time frames, named individuals responsible for delivery, quantitative measures and reporting arrangements. The SDMP ultimately aims to ensure the Trust delivers outstanding healthcare services for years to come, whilst achieving carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets despite increases in service demand and constraints on public finances. 6.3 Sustainable Healthcare Committee (SHC) The SHC is tasked with monitoring Trust performance with regards to achieving the objectives and aims set out in the Trust Sustainable Healthcare Strategy and SDMP. Regular meetings of the SHC will take place to track progress towards these objectives and targets, update the SDMP and compile regular progress reports for Trust Board. The terms of reference for the SHC will ensure clear lines of governance to Trust Board are maintained via a well-represented group of senior managers and clinicians. See Appendix 1 for governance structure. There will also be representation from a Trust Board Member in order to facilitate a direct link between the Board and SHC. Page 3 of 6

4 7 Training All staff should make themselves aware of the Trust Sustainable Healthcare Strategy available on the internet here: Sustainability Strategy Link staff in wards and departments, known as Green Champions, will be provided with more detailed guidance and information on how to improve environmental sustainability performance at ward and department level. Having an engaged and informed member of staff in each area will help raise awareness of the aims of the strategy and the actions that can be taken to embed environmentally sustainable practices across the Trust. All new members of staff, commencing work with the Trust, receive information on the Sustainable Healthcare Strategy and how they can help deliver the aims of the strategy. Specific training, advice or guidance can be sought by any member of staff, patient, visitor, or interested party from the Trust s Sustainability Team. Contact can be made via switchboard, or by ing environment@nuth.nhs.uk 8 Equality and Diversity The Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the way we provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds. This document has been appropriately assessed 9 Monitoring Compliance Standard / process / issue Analysis of progress towards Trust Sustainable Healthcare Strategy and SDMP aims and objectives Monitoring and audit Method By Committee Frequency Annual report Sustainable Healthcare Committee Trust Board Annually 10 Consultation and review This policy has been developed in consultation with the Trust Sustainable Healthcare Committee (SHC). The SHC is responsible for the final approval of this policy. 11 Implementation (including raising awareness) This policy will be implemented by the SHC. The Trust Sustainability Team, with support from the SHC, are responsible for raising awareness of this policy, the Sustainable Healthcare Strategy and SDMP. Page 4 of 6

5 The Trust Sustainability Team will work with key link staff, known as Green Champions, to implement sustainable practices across the Trust. Regular newsletters will be produced, and engagement events will take place, to help raise awareness of this policy, strategy and action plan. Copies of key documentation listed in Section 6 are available to all staff on the intranet and to all stakeholders on the Trust internet. 12 References Sustainable Development Unit (2014) Sustainable Development Strategy for the NHS, Public Health and Social Care System, Associated documentation Trust Sustainable Healthcare Strategy (including SDMP) Trust Annual Reports (containing mandatory annual sustainability performance information available publicly on the Trust internet site). Page 5 of 6

6 Appendix 1 Sustainability Governance Structure Trust Board Risk Management and Assurance Committee Sustainable Healthcare Committee Energy Management Group Waste Management Group Page 6 of 6

7 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Equality Analysis Form A This form must be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the appropriate committee for consideration and approval. PART 1 1. Assessment Date: Name of policy / strategy / service: Sustainability Policy 3. Name and designation of Author: James Dixon, Head of Environmental Management 4. Names & designations of those involved in the impact analysis screening process: Members of the Sustainable Healthcare Committee 5. Is this a: Policy X Strategy Service Is this: New Revised X Who is affected Employees X Service Users X Wider Community X 6. What are the main aims, objectives of the policy, strategy, or service and the intended outcomes? (These can be cut and pasted from your policy) Building on our Trust commitment to deliver Healthcare at its very best with a personal touch, our vision for sustainability is for us to deliver these services within the available environmental and social resources, protecting and improving health now and for future generations. This means working to reduce carbon emissions, minimising waste and pollution, making the best use of scarce resources, building resilience to a changing climate and nurturing community strengths and assets. 7. Does this policy, strategy, or service have any equality implications? Yes No X If No, state reasons and the information used to make this decision, please refer to paragraph 2.3 of the Equality Analysis Guidance before providing reasons: The policy has considered the needs of all people including those who have protected characteristics and ensures any groups of people with protected characteristics are not disproportionately advantaged or disadvantaged.

8 8. Summary of evidence related to protected characteristics Protected Characteristic Race / Ethnic origin (including gypsies and travellers) Evidence, i.e. What evidence do you have that the Trust is meeting the needs of people in various protected Groups The policy is designed to support the highest levels of patient care, both now and far into the future. Does evidence/engagement highlight areas of direct or indirect discrimination? If yes describe steps to be taken to address (by whom, completion date and review date) Sex (male/ female) As above No No Religion and Belief As above No No Sexual orientation including As above No No lesbian, gay and bisexual people Age As above No No Disability learning difficulties, physical disability, sensory impairment and mental health. Consider the needs of carers in this section As above No No Gender Re-assignment As above No No Marriage and Civil Partnership As above No No Maternity / Pregnancy As above No No 9. Are there any gaps in the evidence outlined above? If yes how will these be rectified? No No Does the evidence highlight any areas to advance opportunities or foster good relations. If yes what steps will be taken? (by whom, completion date and review date) No 10. Engagement has taken place with people who have protected characteristics and will continue through the Equality Delivery System and the Equality Diversity and Human Rights Group. Please note you may require further engagement in respect of any significant changes to policies, new developments and or changes to service delivery. In such circumstances please contact the Equality and Diversity Lead or the Involvement and Equalities Officer. Do you require further engagement? Yes No X 11. Could the policy, strategy or service have a negative impact on human rights? (E.g. the right to respect for private and family life, the right to a fair hearing and the right to education? No

9 PART 2 Name: James Dixon Date of completion: (If any reader of this procedural document identifies a potential discriminatory impact that has not been identified, please refer to the Policy Author identified above, together with any suggestions for action required to avoid/reduce the impact.)