IHEEM is again supporting, and encouraging members to back, the NHS Sustainability Day, an international event on 28 March for the NHS and healthcare facilities outside the UK, which is aimed at raising awareness of the health implications of climate change, and encouraging changes in behaviour and action on the day itself.
Its timing is aimed to reinforce the messages within the healthcare sector demonstrated during Climate Week, which takes place this year from 4-10 March (HEJ – January 2013). The 28 March event is strongly supported both internally within the NHS, and externally by Ministers and providers. IHEEM adds: “Environmental sustainability within the NHS is an area which has become an increasing focus over the past three years, since the establishment of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, and the publication of its carbon reduction strategy in 2009, ‘Saving Carbon, Improving Health’. “The NHS has committed to achieve the Climate Change Act targets, and has set interim targets ahead of time in order to ensure emissions are reduced. Key elements include improving local air quality by reducing building energy and transport emissions, increasing activity through the use of sustainable transport modes, and improving economic sustainability via use of locally grown and locally sourced produce.” The organisers of the 2012 NHS Sustainability Day say it was ‘a phenomenal success’, and it is hoped to make this year’s ‘bigger and better’. They add: “Our event website notched up over 16,000 ‘hits’ in the run-up to last year’s event – many in the last six weeks before the event – so plan early this year.” For further information, visit www.nhssustainabilityday.co.uk
