What is that phrase about buses…?
Hardly a day or week seems to go past without another interesting ESG publication coming out.
There have been a variety over the past few weeks and months that we thought we would draw readers’ attention to as they cover the full panoply of the health and care sector:
IHPN: Published in May this easy read pack summarises both government and NHS commitments and then sets out what this means for NHS Suppliers. Readers will know that they have launched a voluntary industry wide pledge for the UK independent healthcare sector to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, with a net zero supply chain by 2045. Almost 75% of their members have signed up. They have a net zero group and this pack contains resources from recent meetings.
Mission Positive: Edie Insight and Centrica published this earlier in July. It looks at the NHS’ commitment to net zero and its progress in respect of that but it contains some grim messaging. It states that historically the NHS has reduced emissions by just 1% each year but the level of annual reductions will need to hit 8% if the 2040 net zero target is to be delivered. They note that in 2021 a Freedom Of Information request responded to by more than 140 NHS Trusts across the UK revealed that half were set to miss their decarbonisation targets. They observe that changing the behaviours of staff will be critical and that every member of staff from physiotherapists providing sustainable mobility aids, to hospital chefs sourcing their ingredients from the local community will need to play a role.
Pharmaceutical Prescribing: Also published in July this looks at measures to make changes in prescribing practices holistic and environmentally sustainable such as non- pharmacologic interventions, evidence based prescribing and medicine optimisation, eco informed prescribing during patient consultation and patient centred and shared decision making.
Wildlife Trusts: They are focused on making a positive difference on climate and ecological emergencies. They believe everyone, everywhere should have access to nature and the joy and health benefits it brings. This report is about social prescribing and the potential for their programmes to reduce reliance on NHS services.
We have also recently blogged on CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework and the environmental aspects to that.
Lots of food for thought.
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