DHU Healthcare has published its Green Plan, pledging to be Net Zero Carbon by 2040, ten years earlier than the NHS target.
As a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company that provides NHS services across the Midlands, DHU has a responsibility to the communities and patients they care for to be environmentally sustainable; something that has been set out as a commitment within the Green Plan.
As an organisation, we play our part within an NHS that is responsible for 5 percent of the UK’s carbon emissions and 3.5 percent of all road travel. The Green Plan outlines what we have done already and how we intend to reach this ambitious target.
"Influence and lead by example..."
Lucy Bates is DHU’s Sustainability Net Zero Lead and said: “We are the single largest provider of NHS 111 services in England, responsible for one out of every four calls, as well as delivering urgent, primary and community care across the region. We are a major part of the regional health system, and it is our duty to act, influence and lead by example in spearheading green initiatives.
“We’ve identified a number of areas to target with most of our emissions coming from our sites, things like gas, electricity, water and waste. So, looking at alternative sources of power, smarter lighting and encouraging recycling are all part of the plan. In fact, we already have solar panels at several of our sites and they’re being installed at our 111 advice centre in Derby right now.
“We’re also replacing many of DHU cars with electric vehicles, replaced traditional lights with LEDs, developed hybrid working schemes, car sharing and cycle to work schemes to reduce travel and a salary sacrifice scheme to make electronic vehicles more accessible to our colleagues. By doing this we are already more than a quarter of the way towards our target which is an incredible start.
"Empowered to make positive changes"
““But the hard work begins now, and our Green Plan outlines in detail what we plan to do. By publishing it, we are holding ourselves accountable for our pledge. All stakeholders involved in delivering the actions within the Green Plan are a vital part of our system for change, and we want everyone to feel empowered to make positive changes for their local environment and to support our fight to reach Net Zero by 2040.
“Health services face a particular challenge; we can’t compromise patient care, so we have developed our own ‘All Things Green Group’ to use our collective expertise and knowledge across all disciplines to ensure we do all we can to reach Net Zero, whilst maintaining our commitment to providing quality, compassionate care.”
Since making this pledge in 2023, DHU has reduced its electricity usage by 73%, it’s gas usage by 42% and employee commuting has reduced by 28%. The Green Plan will help to focus those ideas and ensure DHU remains on track to become Carbon Net Zero by 2040.
To find out more about, download and read DHU’s Green Plan – please click here.