Sustainable Development. Policy on Active Travel

Transcription

1 Sustainable Development Policy on Active Travel Date of Production = January 2010 Date of review = January

2 Policy Statement The Trust recognises that travel and transport are determinants of health and aims, with the cooperation of staff partners and service providers, to actively promote and improve the health and wellbeing of the workforce and community though making available and encouraging the use of greener travel options 1

3 1. Rationale This document sets out why an active travel policy is required, how measures will be identified, implemented and monitored and what action is required by sites, managers and staff. This policy is required to promote a shift from sedentary to active travel. This policy should ensure that we adopt practices that reduce single occupancy car use and promote greener travelling options in order to improve health and well being by increasing physical activity. This policy will; Enable travel measures to be implemented effectively across NHS Stoke on Trent Ensure that all sites are equally aware of green travelling options and implementation is supported Deliver and support the transport and travel elements of the Strategic Services Development Plan (SSDP) Lay down the basis for partnership working on transport and travel between the Trust sites, and with external organisations (Neighbouring employers such as University Hospital North Staffordshire, Combined Healthcare Trust, NHS North Staffordshire, NHS West Midlands, Stoke on Trent City Council, Private sector providers and other partners). 2. Purpose and Coverage A travel plan sets out how to combat over dependency on cars by supporting all the possible alternatives to people travelling in cars on their own. By reducing car miles this policy can not only benefit the environment but can produce financial benefits and productivity improvements saving both NHS Stoke on Trent and individual staff members money and time. This policy concentrates on improving existing travel choices whilst giving incentives to use more sustainable travel and disincentives to car use by ensuring there are realistic alternatives available. It is important that travel proposals offer staff realistic alternative options as people s ability to change their travel will vary. This policy covers corporate actions to be taken by NHS Stoke on Trent and site specific actions for the Hospitals, Primary Care and Health Centres for which we are responsible. It covers staff (whether employees of NHS Stoke on Trent or not) and people travelling to sites in all Trust owned or leased premises. In addition to this overarching policy, each site will have site specific tailored action plans that will state how this agenda is being met at that location. This document suggests a framework to developing, implementing and monitoring a travel plan to encourage travel by alternative methods other than the car. 2

4 This policy compliments the wider agenda of sustainable development and is part of a wider corporate Sustainable Development Management Plan. This can be found on our website. 3. Requirements As part of the Sustainable Development Management Plan NHS Stoke on Trent is required to have a Board approved active travel plan. All planning applications with significant transport implications require a travel plan. The Local Authority are stipulating implementation of a travel plan as a legal condition of giving planning permission and so this travel policy assists planning applications for a new site or new accommodation on current sites. This fits with NHS Stoke on Trent s commitments to encourage active travel and to improve accessibility to services. The adoption of a Travel plan at new sites meets Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) sustainable building requirements. 4. National Policy and Context Climate change is an unavoidable and pressing issue and is at the heart of corporate social responsibility. Small changes by each of us can make big changes to all. Measures to reduce excessive car use are vital for any organisation and leading by example and demonstrating leadership is especially important for the NHS. The NHS is the largest public sector contributor to climate change. The NHS carbon footprint is 18 million tonnes per year of CO2 and travel makes up 18% of this. On a national level all NHS trusts are required to develop travel plans and a number of policy instruments enforce this requirement. Key Policy Drivers Key policy drivers for active travel are listed here. These can be found in more detail in the Sustainable Development Management Plan. Saving Carbon, Improving health, NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England (January 2009) Climate Change Act (2008), Department of Energy and Climate change Available at aspx Sustaining a Health Future, taking action on climate change. Special focus on the NHS. UK Faculty of Public Health NICE guidance (reference PH8) Public Health Guidance on the Promotion and creation of physical environments that support increased levels of physical activity, Jan 2008, available 3

5 NICE guidance (reference PH13) Public Health Guidance on Promoting Physical Activity and the Workplace, May 2008 (available online ) Take Action on Active Travel, Bristol, SUSTRANS and the Association of Directors of Public Health. (available online at NHS Sustainable Development Strategy (October 2008) Good Corporate Citizenship (GCC) online assessment model Other key areas that are supported by the sustainable development agenda are World Class Commissioning, Key Lines of Enquiry (KLoE) especially 3.1 Use of Resources, and the WHO Healthy Cities Phase 5. Local frameworks including Local Area Agreements (NI 186), Local Strategic Partnerships, and Comprehensive Area Assessments which all have target areas driven by sustainable development and travel. 5. The Case for Developing Travel Plans a. Health By reducing the reliance on private car journeys and making greener travelling options such as walking, cycling and using public transport viable alternatives to the car we can promote more physically active transport. There are key links between active travel and those looking at services around Obesity, decreasing Heart Disease and Stroke, Cancer, Depression and Mental Illness, Osteoporosis and falls in later life. Also people who are more active are generally healthier and take less sick leave. Nationally the NHS generates around 5% of all journeys in the UK. The NHS therefore is a key travel generator and has the opportunity to influence staff, visitors and patients. At present staff, patients and visitors to the NHS travel over 25 billion km a year and over 80% of this is by car. Annually, 3,500 people are killed, 34,000 seriously injured and 250,000 injured on the roads in Britain and pollution related admissions are estimated to cost the NHS between million each year. b. Environmental Transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and commuter and business travel make up 40% of miles driven by car. Travel plans can reduce traffic most during the key periods of rush hour peaks because the numbers of people driving to work is cut. We all experience the environmental degradation that can be caused by traffic. c. Corporate More active journeys give opportunities for people to build exercise into daily life and can be less stressful than car journeys. As parking on sites is limited, less people using cars every day should ensure there is parking for those with most need to access a vehicle. Less demand for parking means money can be saved on the cost of 4

6 providing and maintaining car parking spaces. congestion on and around sites can be reduced. The problems caused by traffic More green travel options can cut mileage claims and other business travel costs. Having green travel options will improve our image with the public and organisations across the City. 6. Partnerships and networks NHS Stoke on Trent will ensure this agenda is more effective by working as part of local and regional frameworks. The Local Authority employs an officer with responsibility for travel plans who can offer practical advice and information. There are grants available to assist with travel plan measures and the City Council are already operating a car share database. We will consolidate partnership working across the city and make best use of local and regional frameworks to ensure that we are part of a regional network for sustainable development. This partnership will ensure we are involved in a broad consistent approach and an action plan across the region to tackle this agenda. 7. Baseline Position The Trust has already demonstrated a commitment to this agenda through a range of initiatives. The examples below show that foundations are in place to be built upon in order to successfully deliver the encouragement of active travelling throughout the organisation. Work life balance (Employment Act 2002), whereby peak period travel and the amount of travel can be reduced through flexible working practices such as home working and telephone conferencing NHS Stoke on Trent reimburses staff at a nominal level for car sharing on business related car journeys The NHS Local Procurement Hub, where possible, uses local suppliers, Consideration of travel in LIFT agreements and PFI arrangements which will impact upon reducing congestion and pollution levels and will strengthen the local community Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) sustainable buildings requirements and transport assessments for new sites Engagement with the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) to support health improvement through the promotion of green travel at a strategic level and contributing to transport and healthy urban planning throughout the City Development of Health Impact Assessments which consider health, transport and access issues 5

7 A lease car scheme that is based on emissions A Walk this Way scheme which is a health and wellness programme free to all staff of NHS Stoke on Trent with the aim of helping people to walk more each day Teleconferencing as an alternative to travelling to meetings with Smartboards in meeting rooms, encouraging people to reduce the amount of unnecessary meetings and working at home options such as RAS tokens 8. NHS Stoke on Trent Commitments As a major employer NHS Stoke on Trent has a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen and be taking a lead on active travel. The commitments detailed in this policy will be measured routinely and monitored and sites should review and update their travel plans regularly. Baseline data will be gathered to ensure that change can be measured. NHS Stoke on Trent will actively promote green travel. NHS Stoke on Trent will: 1) Lead by example Targets Increase media coverage on sustainable development by 50% Ensure our staff and our key stakeholders are aware of our travel plans Ensure that 50% of our sites have their own travel action plans by 2011 Actions Generate greater positive media coverage on travel specifically and sustainable development more widely Increase awareness of our travel plans both within the organisation and with partners Develop tailored travel action plans relevant to all sites and regularly update these Organise sustainable travel awareness campaigns in conjunction with partners 2) Reduce unnecessary travel Targets Reduce the amount of meetings where travel is needed by 10% Reduce single car usage for business mileage by 10% Actions Enable more remote and home working as an option for staff Promote the national car share scheme and database Develop initiatives to reduce car usage for business mileage 3) Encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport Targets 6

8 100% of our sites will have a named Transport Planning Co ordinator by end 2010 Actions Implement options to encourage other modes of transport instead of the car, making other modes more viable Develop policies on payment for business mileage for cycles and walking Compare car mileage against public transport tickets and cycle mileage claims, e.g. travel allowances that incentivise the use of low carbon vehicles with differentiated rates where the maximum rates are paid for low carbon options such as cycling and walking Carry out regular checks on bike use and promote a cycle to work scheme 4) Reduce single occupancy car use to and from sites Targets Increase the numbers of people registered with the car share database by 100% Actions Review and implement the options available to incentivise people to reduce their car use, for example public transport initiatives, pool car and pool bikes, try before you buy electric bikes, free bus passes, staff buses, walking buses, cycle to work scheme. Review recruitment, employment practices and working practices 5) Reduce the proportion of staff and visitors parking at sites Targets Increase the numbers of people cycling to work Increase the numbers of people walking to meetings by 50% Through providing one stop services and more services closer to home, reduce the distances people travel to use health services Introduce car parking charges at head office sites Actions For example salary sacrifice options such as annual transport passes repaid through payroll, discount tickets deal with public transport operators, use of car share and cycle to work schemes Work with Local Authority to improve public transport access to sites 6) Improve facilities and access to facilities Targets Ensure 100% of new buildings meet BREEAM excellence Actions Make use of the travel grants available from the City Council for items such as cycle storage, purchase of pool bike / moped and shower / changing facilities Monitor the installation of facilities in light of BREEAM and Good Corporate Citizenship requirements 7

9 9. Site Specific Commitments All sites where NHS Stoke On Trent employees are based and where we provide services will undertake and promote active travel measures. This document acts as the point of reference for all trust owned sites regardless of their size and will be used to guide development and implementation of measures and to meet the requirements of planning. All sites should; have access to this policy document, display a statement of commitment and promotion of active travel on notice boards have cycling maps and public transport timetables available All sites will have designated representatives, called Travel Plan Coordinators, who will coordinate the site action plan, monitor progress plus raise awareness of this agenda. All NHS Stoke on Trent owned sites will be expected to have a Travel Action Plan (Appendix One). These sites can be defined as those where NHS Stoke on Trent employees are based and where we provide services. Larger sites will be required to have a travel action plan first (within 6 months). Larger sites (with many employees based on site) are termed Type One Sites and are identified as Headquarters and Community Hospitals: Haywood Hospital Herbert Minton Building / London House (Floor Four) Heron House Longton Cottage Hospital Type 2 Sites (with fewer employees based on site) will have a Travel Action Plan within 12 months*. These sites are Health centres and primary care centres: Abbey Hulton Health Centre Blurton Health Centre Bentilee Health Centre Fenton Health Centre Hanford Health Centre Hanley Health Centre Longton Health Centre Lucie Wedgewood Health Centre, Burslem Meir Health Centre Piccadilly Centre, Hanley Packmoor Medical Centre Shelton Primary Care Centre Smallthorne Health Centre 8

10 Stoke Health Centre Tunstall Health Centre Trent Vale Health Centre * It is noted that some sites will be redeveloped in line with our Strategic Services Development Plan. A Template of a suggested action plan for sites to use is given in Appendix One. This can be tailored and rewritten as required to meet the needs of each site but should cover focused objectives, lead contact and review date. 10. Enablers to achieve change Resources will need to be allocated to support implementation of the travel policy. Senior management support will be important to ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to the travel plan. Managers should lead the way by travelling by sustainable means whenever they can. Managers will also have a role to play in supporting and enabling staff to engage in greener travelling options, for instance allowing time to walk to meetings. 11. Monitoring and links Progress against this policy will be monitored by the Sustainable Development Management Group. The areas monitored will be: Progress of the travel policy Annual review of the Travel policy Progress on site specific Action Plans Implementing schemes that will encourage sustainability Act as a point of reference for staff who want information on green travel The Active Travel Policy will be reviewed annually by the Sustainable Development Management Group. Operational lead Michelle Russell, Development Manager, Office of the Chief Executive, Fourth Floor London House, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1NF. michelle.russell@stoke.nhs.uk Telephone: Executive lead is the Assistant Chief Executive, Dawn Wickham. Board Champion is Chris Dawes, Chairman. This Policy was written by Michelle Russell and the Sustainable Development Management Group, January 2010 and will be reviewed in January It links directly to the Sustainable Development Management Plan and the Strategic Service Development Plan. 9

11 Introduction Name and details of key contact and site. Action Plan for [site] [year] Summary This section should refer to any other relevant documents that exist then briefly cover the main reasons for developing this action plan, i.e. the main objectives and targets and the most significant measures to be introduced. Later versions of this travel plan should include a summary of progress towards achieving targets. Other items may be any current issues and problems, any achievements so far or any details on current travel patterns. Executive policy statement The Trust recognises that travel and transport are determinants of health and aims, with the cooperation of staff partners and service providers, to actively promote and improve the health and wellbeing of the workforce and community though making available and encouraging the use of greener travel options Action Plan This section should cover objectives of this action plan and what implementing the plan is expected to achieve. Any objectives set should be achievable and directly relevant to your own workplace. An example general overall objective could be: To encourage the use of safe and sustainable transport for travel to and from work and within work time. Examples of more narrowly focused objectives could be: to improve staff fitness levels through encouraging the use of more active forms of transport to reduce car use by 10% to increase walking by 10% to have more people registered on a Car Share scheme to increase the number of people cycling to the site to reduce congestion and parking issues around the office to reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys by staff to the site. These should have quantifiable targets whenever possible. 10

12 A table may be useful here, for example - Objective Action or initiative Who Date Review date Reduce car use by 10% Increase use of car sharing Register with City Council car share scheme Support people to cycle to work Encourage people to walk to meetings by having coats and umbrellas at the door for general use Encourage use of teleconferencing Action plan coordinator to liaise with Sustainable Development Co-ordinating Group regarding Car Share Scheme. Improve the fitness levels of staff Promote the Walk this Way scheme Support people to cycle to work Start a lunchtime walks group Action plan coordinator to investigate applying for a travel plan grant for a new bike rack By June 2010 Increase the availability of lockers Monitoring It is important for staff and managers to be able to observe the travel plan working and moving toward its objective. Once targets have been identified, success in meeting these targets must be measured so progress can be measured. Indicators may include a staff survey, recording of take up rates of schemes, walks or the number of lockers in use. Each site will be required to review their action plans annually and once formulated a copy of this action plan should be sent to; Development Manager, Michelle Russell, Office of the Chief Executive, London House Fourth Floor Stoke On Trent ST4 1NF michelle.russell@stoke.nhs.uk Telephone;