For our Meet the Team piece this week, we would like to introduce Lucy Bates. Lucy is DHU Healthcare’s new Sustainability Net Zero Lead, a brand-new role she began in July.
Lucy has been with DHU since 2020, starting as a Health Advisor in the 111 service before becoming a Deputy Operational Shift Lead, also pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with the Open University, part-time.
Lucy’s is aiming to share her passion for the environment and sustainability in her new role, telling us: “What attracted me to this role is that it aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. I’ve always wanted to work in a field that allows me to make a tangible difference, either independently or within a team, to help companies become more sustainable. Now, I’m in a role where I can do exactly that.
“Before DHU, I studied fashion journalism but wasn’t satisfied working in an industry that, for me, felt very empty and unfulfilling. I wanted to leave the planet better than I found it, which led me to pursue environmental science. It’s a field that I find incredibly interesting because of its multifaceted nature.”
Lucy has very ambitious plans for her new role at DHU, explaining: “This is a brand-new role at DHU, and I’m the first one to take it on, which is a big deal. The NHS has set a goal to be net zero by 2040, and considering it contributes five percent of the UK’s emissions, that is a huge target. My job involves looking at all aspects of our services—from procurement to the delivery of care—to see how we can become more sustainable.
“I’ll be working on educating staff about the importance of sustainability and implementing policies to support it. Everyone in the company is a stakeholder, and their support is crucial. I understand that sustainability might not be high on everyone’s priority list, especially when people have families and other pressing concerns. My goal is to make it easier for them to prioritise sustainability by doing the thinking and legwork."
Lucy also sees great potential in the All Things Green Group at DHU. “I want to grow the Green Group and get as many people involved as possible. I’m planning to roll out an educational program to inspire people to be more conscious of their choices at work. More involvement from the group will make it easier to implement our sustainability initiatives.
“I’m excited to get started and make a real difference. The support from every member of staff is vital, and I’m here to facilitate that. Together, we can achieve great things for sustainability at DHU.”