We are committed to becoming a sustainable healthcare provider and understand that being a low carbon organisation is important to help reduce the adverse effects of climate change on human health.

We have put a number of initiatives in place across the Trust to help us achieve our goal of becoming a sustainable healthcare provider including:

  • In January 2022, the Trust published its Green Plan. Progress against this is taken to the Capital Development Steering Group on a quarterly basis.
  • The Trust has developed an active Sustainability Group. 
  • In late 2022, our Public Health Consultant, Ryan Swiers, will take over as the Trust lead on Sustainability
  • South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital both have Energy Centres and we have already seen energy and carbon reductions along with substantial cost savings. 
  • The Trust has purchased 100% renewable electricity in 2020/21 this is ahead of the Government’s requirement. (This is energy that has come from a sustainable source such as windfarms)
  • All domestic and offensive waste is diverted from landfill and is converted into electricity or heat
  • All of our clear bag recycling waste is sent for further segregation at the recycling plant to enable this to be recycled appropriately.
  • We have undertaken an extensive LED lighting replacement scheme from March 2020. This will generate estimated potential savings of over £400,000.

  • A successful staff cycle scheme is available across the Trust allowing the purchase of bikes taken tax efficiently from staff’s salary to encourage staff to cycle to work instead of using their car. We also have staff loan bikes for travelling from site to site.

  • Discounted travel schemes are running across the Trust to promote the better use of public transport.

  • In Sunderland we have purchased and leased a Green Fleet consisting of low emission vans and electric cars. There are 34 electric vehicle charging points available across all Sunderland sites to encourage staff and visitors to make the switch.

  • In South Tyneside 4,187 bread bags have been recycled for charity with over £72 being raised and over 20,000 crisp packets have been recycled.

  • Sharpsmart - A state of the art reusable sharps box system was implemented in sunderland 15 years ago, this continues to divert over 270 tonnes of plastic waste from incineration, with a reduction in carbon emissions of 1500 tonnes per year. Amongst other benefits is the reduction in needlestick injuries. Sharpsmart was introduced in South Tyneside in October.

 

 

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