A Greener NHS

The NHS was founded in 1948 to provide high The NHS was founded in 1948 to provide high-quality health care for all now, and for future generations. Understanding that for future generations. Understanding that climate change and human health are inclimate change and human health are in-extricably linked, in October 2020, the extricably linked, in October 2020, the NHS became the first in the world to NHS became the first in the world to commit to working towards becoming a carbon net zero national health system by commit to working towards becoming a 2045. This means improving healthcare carbon net zero national health system by while reducing harmful carbon emissions 2045. This means improving healthcare and investing in efforts that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.while reducing harmful carbon emissions With the NHS accounting for around 4% of the country’s carbon emissions and and investing in efforts that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.over 7% of the economy, the NHS has an With the NHS accounting for around 4% essential role to play in meeting the carbon net zero targets set under the Climate Change Act (Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ of the countryNational Health Service). over 7% of the economy, the NHS has an essential role to play in meeting the carbon net zero targets set under the Climate Over 1.3 million people work in the English NHS, making us the largest employer in Britain and in Europe. Together we can and should play a significant role in re-Change Act (Delivering a tional Health Service).ducing our carbon footprint and limiting Over 1.3 million people work in the English NHS, making us the largest employer our impact on the environment in order to make a significant difference to the health of the population we serve. in Britain and in Europe. Together we can and should play a significant role in reducing our carbon footprint and limiting our impact on the environment in order to make a significant difference to the health of the population we serve.

Many of these positive changes have already begun around us, with people taking personal and workplace actions to reduce their environmental impact. The actions that we will take together covers a broad range of things like energy sources and efficiency, recycling, plastic waste reduction, reducing emissions from travel miles, improving green spaces with more trees, and updating logistics to minimise delivery miles and packaging. The Greener NHS programme has begun to work with our staff, hospitals and partner organisations across Surrey. The national programme will build on the great work being done by trusts across the country, sharing ideas on how to reduce impact on public health and the environment, save money and thus achieve a carbon net zero NHS. To find out more visit www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs

COMMUNITY EVENTS UPDATE SPRING 2022

STAINES AND LALEHAM PLANT SWAP GROUP Tea and Scones chat at Notcutts from 10.30AM on Saturday 5th March. If you are interested in gardening come and join us. Particularly keen to get more Swap Boxes in the community and speakers at our PLANT SWAP EVENT on Saturday 7th May PM at Christ Church, Staines STAINES SOUTH JUMBLE TRAIL Saturday 23rd April 11am – 3pm NEW! LALEHAM AND RIVERSIDE JUMBLE TRAIL Sunday 22nd May 11am – 3pm For more information on all of our activities join us on Facebook or visit www.get2getherlocally.org We look forward to seeing you!