Where we are and where we want to go
Workforce and System Leadership
The basis of a sustainable hospital is with its staff and its interaction with the local community and system. Through their staff, NHS Trusts can change practices and adopt best practice and then share their learning regionally and nationally. We aim to contribute to this work and to drive change through our local system and at a wider level.
Where we are now:
The UHN Director of Strategy is now appointed as board lead for Sustainability. Although there is limited dedicated resource to date at KGH for sustainability there are a number of committed individuals who undertake projects in their chosen fields.
Sustainability is included in all job descriptions across UHN and we have a member of staff currently undertaking a Level 4 Sustainable Healthcare Apprenticeship. We have recently established a UHN Go Greener Nursing and AHP group that is undertaking several projects highlighted as priorities by the Regional Nursing teams.
Our aims are to:
• Increase the dedicated resource to implement sustainability projects
• Increase the knowledge and confidence of staff to undertake sustainability projects and to talk about climate change and its impact on health.
• Increase the number of staff undertaking sustainability specific training and programmes
• Establish local and cross trust sustainability groups
Action |
Financial Investment |
When |
Responsible Department |
| Make Net Zero Healthcare training mandatory for senior staff | Low | 2027 | Board Decision |
| Include sustainability in QI training | Low | 2026 | QI |
| Continue to explore teaching opportunities both within the Trust and externally | Low | 2027 | Sustainability |
| Promote external training opportunities for staff | Low | 2027 | Sustainability |
| Streamline data and reporting processes to produce a dashboard for projects and outcomes available to staff | Low | 2026 | Sustainability |
| Update the intranet and internet pages | Low | 2026 | Sustainability |
| Review recruitment information to include net zero | Low | 2027 | HR |
| Board training for sustainability | Medium | 2026 | Board Level |
| Create a network of champions and introduce a monthly newsletter | Low | 2026 | Sustainability |
| Review options for lunch and learn sessions for staff | Low | 2027 | Sustainability |
| Create a multidisciplinary SD Committee to review Green Plan Actions | Low | 2026 | Sustainability |
| Achieve Investors in the Environment Bronze Accreditation | Low | 2026 | Sustainability |
| Nominate a Green Plan lead for each area of focus to report back to the Sustainability Committee | Low | 2027 | All |
In addition, we will continue to play a key role in the anchor institution work and participate in national and regional events to share best practice.
Measurement
The number of QI projects with sustainability as a measured outcome
The number of staff attending undertaking sustainability training opportunities
The number of business cases with sustainability considerations included
The number of local sustainability projects undertaken