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We’re Going Greener
New changing facilities
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The NHS is committed to reaching a carbon net zero by 2045. The new ‘We’re going greener’ plan sets out the Trust’s first steps to becoming more sustainable while working towards this larger goal.
As a major organisation in Chester, the Trust recognises its responsibility to be a force for good in the local community, with safeguarding the environment for current and future generations being vital towards that. Suggestions and ideas put forward by Trust staff in an initial survey in the new ‘We’re going greener’ strategy. Cara Williams, Chief Digital Information Officer, has been appointed the Executive Sustainability Ambassador as part of the plan. Cara said: “‘We’re going greener’ is a huge step forward for the Countess in becoming more sustainable. It will have a positive impact for our hospitals and on our community. We have already hit the ground running and I’m looking forward to making more sustainable changes.” The plan sets out how the Trust will start to tackle and review its sustainability targets from 2022 to 2025. A number of significant improvements have already been made including: • Since 1 April 2021, all the Trust’s electricity from the grid has come from 100% renewable sources
• Half the Trust’s fleet of vehicles are now electric with plans in place to increase this further
• The main anaesthetic gas used in theatres has shifted from the carbon-heavy emitting gas Desflurane to the greener gas Sevoflurane
• The Trust participates in the Ginger e-scooter scheme to promote alternative ways to travel • A new fully accessible changing facility has been opened for staff who want to walk, run or cycle into work • New secure cycle storage will soon be installed courtesy of funding from the
Countess Charity via grants from NHS
Charities Together Cara added: “The most important thing for me is that we’re committed to working differently to benefit environment. I’m confident we can be an example of best practice in the NHS and join other organisations in Chester aiming to take a more sustainable approach.”
Trust joins Purpose Coalition
The Countess has joined a group of organisations aiming to make society fairer for all.
The Trust has signed up to a Purpose Coalition, joining more than 50 other public and private sector organisations in committing to providing equal opportunities. As a new member of the coalition, the Trust will now produce a Levelling Up Impact Report, in partnership with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening and former Public Health Minister Rt Hon Anne Milton, to measure its impact against 14 Levelling Up Goals. These goals, which were created with input from businesses, universities, policymakers and regulators, cover key areas such as education, health and wellbeing, open recruitment, closing the digital divide and more. The Levelling Up Impact Report will highlight best practice at Countess of Chester Hospital and identify where more can be done.
Justine Greening said: “NHS Trusts play a key role in society by boosting opportunity and driving levelling up in their communities. The health inequalities that exist in different communities across the UK have been highlighted even more following the coronavirus pandemic. We must continue to work together to drive change and ensure that tackling these inequalities becomes a priority across the UK.” Dr Susan Gilby, Chief Executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital, said: “As an anchor organisation committed to addressing social inequalities in our community, I am immensely proud that the Trust was the first NHS acute provider organisation in the Northwest to join the Purpose Coalition. The pandemic has exacerbated and further embedded inequalities in the region, particularly in terms of health outcomes. The Levelling Up Goals framework provides a mechanism for guiding and tracking progress in tackling these inequalities.”
