Our vision for a greener future
The scope and scale of the challenge may be daunting, by working together both as one NHS and with our partners, we will be able to meet the challenge.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust's plans are to decarbonise our buildings and transport, to working with our clinicians and supply chain to provide lower carbon care pathways.
We are making progress. We are using 100% recycled paper, our electricity is from renewable sources, we have been installing LED lighting across the estate, and solar panels are on seven of our buildings. A trial of Electric Vehicle Charging Points at WCH has concluded and we have conducted feasibility studies into other locations within the Trust’s portfolio to install EV chargers. A capital bid has been finalised. The Trust is also part of the Cumbria EV charging infrastructure group working with the county council, local authorities and other major stakeholders within the county. We offer remote consultations and our patient meals have a reduced carbon footprint from initiatives including: reduced carbon menus, food waste reduction projects, electric vehicles, renewable energy, refrigerants and working with suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of our ingredients – and that’s just to name a few! We are also focused on embedding carbon reduction into everyday purchasing and investment decisions.
Partnership with Cumbria Wildlife
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust are poised to begin an innovative partnership with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust to help improve the biodiversity of our hospital sites.
The project would also explore options to develop greener spaces to improve the wellbeing of staff and patients, including opportunities for social prescribing through environmental activities. The project will be supported by Healing Arts including signage for some of the wilder areas of the estate. Early work includes reviewing the grounds maintenance programme for the Cumberland Infirmary site in Carlisle with a view to changing planting schemes and grass cutting regimes. An initial site visit found that the hospital grounds are rich in flora and fauna – providing a great foundation to build on.