We recognise just how important our role is in helping to reduce emissions and improve sustainability overall. Our Green Plan is a fluid document to reflect the changing hospital environment, whilst understanding the ultimate government targets. It is formerly known as the Sustainable Development Management Policy (SDMP) and it has been updated to accommodate the wider NHS Estates “Greening the NHS” strategy which includes our SMART objectives. These objectives will form the basis for our action plan.
Click here to view the Trust's Green Plan.
We will form a Sustainable Steering Group with overall responsibility for implementing these actions and our Green Plan will show just how we will reduce the impact of climate change and pollution on health, reduce reliance on unsustainable services and medicines and embrace ‘green’ learning and innovation. To support this, DGT’s Quality Improvement Hub will support and utilise Low Carbon Europe as specialist advisors and a Quality Council of active members has been established to drive a bottom-up approach to sustainability across the Trust.
During the past year, we have continued to follow our sustainability mission statement and we focussed to:
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Minimise the use of natural resources
- Prepare for adaptation to climate change
- Prepare local communities for adaptation to climate change
- Promote healthy lifestyles and environments
- Improve sustainability of clinical care models
We have now produced our first Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA), which ensures we can recognise the effects of climate change on our ability to provide healthcare, as well as being an anchor institution in the local area.
The Green Plan is our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment and to deliver sustainable healthcare. We will work with patients, staff, local communities and partners to put our organisation on a path to a cleaner, greener, healthier and more equitable future. We have been co-ordinating with the emerging Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) to ensure our plan dovetails with a wider Kent & Medway Sustainability plan.
Our Green Plan is the central document for the Trust’s sustainability agenda including our objectives and how they will be met. The revised Green Plan, once Trust Board approved, will be activated utilising key stakeholders across the Trust to ensure that the SMART objects are being met.
If you would like more information or find out how you can get involved with our sustainability agenda, please contact Carolyn Lewis, Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital projects on dgn-tr.trustrepresentative@nhs.net