Hospital Group works towards a sustainable future
We are celebrating some of our efforts towards a sustainable future as a hospital Group.
The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group – which runs both Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals – is aiming to be carbon net zero by 2040 in line with national NHS targets.
Here are some of the many ways we are doing that:
At Kettering General Hospital
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There are major plans for a new electric-powered Energy Centre as part its rebuild under the National Hospitals Programme (HIP2) scheme. The hospital currently rents its fossil fuel-powered boilers after its old steam-powered ones were decommissioned as no longer fit for purpose in 2014.
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A key aim for us is to make the hospital as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Our hospital rebuild will be built to the highest possible energy efficiency standards and in the future we will no longer be relying on fossil fuel.
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A food digester machine recycles all of our kitchen waste each month and turns it into biofuel.
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Our fleet of hospital vans – which are used to pick up test requests and patient notes from its outlying outpatient sites – have, since 2021, all been replaced with hybrid electric vehicles
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Our long-established Pocket Park supports local wildlife and includes a pond, butterfly bushes, native tress and areas set aside for wildflowers and insects
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KGH has a charging point for its electric vans and has plans for more as part of its rebuild.
At Northampton General Hospital
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Northampton General Hospital has been awarded a £20.6m Government grant to replace fossil fuel heating with more renewable sources. The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy announced the award as part of phase 3a of its public sector decarbonisation schemes which aim to reduce emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037
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In addition we are installing further energy efficiency measures such roof-mounted solar panels, LED lighting, insulation and more efficient motors and fans used in hospital heating and ventilation. We have already worked-up designs for how we use the Government grant and start the work on the improvements this Summer to complete them before March 2024.
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We have created a ‘Weeds for Bees’ scheme whereby some areas of our grounds have been allowed to grow wild.
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We have successfully reduced the use of the anaesthetic gas desflurane to 0.4% of all of its anaesthetic gases – better than the NHS target. As well as saving money this has also offset the hospital’s impact on the environment by 500 tonnes of CO2e
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Twelve electric vehicle charging points have been installed in NGH’s car park with more to come. We have also replaced a petrol pick-up van with an electric one.
In 2019-2020 Both Kettering and Northampton hospitals signed up to a national NHS Plastics Pledge to eliminate avoidable single use plastics – such as water cups and cutlery.
Both hospitals have plans for an E-bikes-to-work scheme for staff to start this summer.
KGH also wins an award for its Green Travel Plans
Kettering General Hospital has become commended for its travel plan and been awarded a Modeshift STARS Green Award – thanks to its commitment to promoting alternative modes of transport.
To achieve this national accolade the hospital has been working since last October with Northamptonshire based Brightwayz, a social enterprise which promotes active travel.
Brightwayz have been helping the hospital implement a travel plan to encourage and enable people to, where possible, leave their cars at home and to find alternative and practical ways to get to and from the hospital.
Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accredited and Recognised) is the UK’s leading active travel scheme and recognises schools, businesses and other organisations that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel.
Kettering General Hospital’s Director of Strategy, Polly Grimmett, said: “We are delighted to have received recognition from Modeshift for our partnership work to develop more sustainable travel to our hospital. We have been supporting cycling, walking, public transport and links to our off-site parking for staff, for some time now and will be liaising with our staff and local people to find out what more we can do.
“We want to reduce congestion and unnecessary car journeys to our site and encourage our staff to think sustainably and perhaps consider options for getting to work that will have additional benefits such as improving their own fitness, health and wellbeing.”
Alison Holland, founder of active travel social enterprise Brightwayz, said: “The hospital, which already struggles with a lack of car parking spaces, is due to be rebuilt on the same site. Parking will become increasingly challenging as the construction work steps up so we have been working with the hospital to implement measures that will make it easier for people to walk, cycle, scoot and take the bus.
“The hospital is committed to improving the wellbeing of staff and volunteers, as well as the wider community. As part of the travel plan we are conducting surveys with staff, volunteers and visitors over the next few weeks – to find out how people get to the hospital and to find out how we can help them to have a better choice of how they get there.”
So far the hospital has hosted free cycle repair sessions, collaborated on shaping the new Walk and Cycle infrastructure plan for Kettering and improved paths on the site for patient buggy journeys.
There is much more in the pipeline. The hospital, with support from Brightwayz, will be looking to improve its current cycle storage. It is also offering more free cycle maintenance for the public and cycle training for staff. Electric cycles provided by North Northants Council, will be available for staff to borrow free for a month