We are delighted to announce that as a practice we are participating in the Greener Primary Care Framework and Award Scheme which takes action in the climate emergency.
In March 2021 the Welsh Government published the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan (EXTERNAL PDF LINK) which provides commitments and a roadmap to decarbonise the NHS by 2030.
By participating in the Greener Primary Care Framework and Award Scheme we will be taking actions to reduce our carbon footprint and improve the environmental sustainability of our day-to-day practice, therefore contributing towards the national decarbonisation targets set out by the Welsh Government.
Environmental sustainability is the responsibility in making decisions to protect and conserve natural resources and global ecosystems for future generations. The changes we make on a local level will contribute towards the global impact.
We will be looking at a mixture of key areas in line with the framework such as energy efficiency, recycling and waste, transport & smart working, procurement, healthy behaviours and carbon management.
We plan to keep you informed of our progress and achievements as well as publish information on sustainability and what you can do to contribute at home.
Pendre surgery is proud to be a part of the Greener Primary Care Framework and Award Scheme.
What is the scheme about?
The scheme encourages contractors like ourselves to take direct actions to reduce our carbon footprint, improve the environmental sustainability of day to day practices and encourage healthy behaviours.
Commitments
We are actively taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint following the publication of the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan by the Welsh government which provides commitments to decarbonise the NHS by 2030.
What is environmental sustainability?
Environmental sustainability is the responsibility in making decisions to protect and conserve natural resources and global ecosystems for future generations.
Why does it matter?
We are beginning to experience long-term consequences of rapid population growth, industrial growth and energy usage. Our planet can only provide so many resources before we start to deplete our natural resources. We must take action now to prevent further damage and reverse the effects.
Aims
The climate emergency is also a health emergency. We therefore aim to enhance the health of our practice population and offer sustainable choices in how we operate and the services we offer to our patients. This will provide benefits to the NHS, your health and the carbon footprint of healthcare.
The Greener Primary Care Framework gives us guidance on specific areas which contribute to the achievement of the United Nations sustainable Development Goals.
For more information of the 17 Goals of Sustainable Development please visit: sdgs.un.org/goals
Key areas we will look at in the practice this year
Energy efficient lighting
We are looking to replace all eliciting lighting with energy efficient alternatives.
Green space
We plan to develop a green space on the premises for biodiversity in order to increate the opportunities for local wildlife to thrive, as well as providing a green space for the health and wellbeing of our staff.
Healthy behaviours
We will encourage healthy behaviours and promote a culture of physical activity by educating patients and staff of the benefits of physical activity and local initiatives available.
Sustainable procurement and low wastage
We aim to source more sustainable/recycled consumables where possible, and ensure low wastage with our stock-taking system. We will also look at switching to fair-trade products.
Recycling and waste reduction
We will look to maximise our current recycling content and reduce practice waste.
Digitisation and paper reduction
We are actively trying to reduce our paper consumption by digitising our working processes, we will also make more content available online to reduce patient travel.
We will keep you updated on our progress.