A large number of projects aimed at improving sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment have been completed in the past few years.  These have covered all aspects of sustainability and involved departments across the Trust. 

Some of the recent projects include: 

Technical Projects

Completion of a range of schemes funded through the Salix funding mechanism and which are expected to achieve an annual reduction of 418 tonnes CO2: 

• Installation of LED lighting.
• Installation of variable speed drives for pumps and fan motors.
• Improved insulation for steam and heating pipework.
• Improved building management system control of air conditioning systems.

Travel

• Implementation of an e-travel claims system, which will contribute to an improved understanding of the carbon footprint associated with business travel.
• Changes to the lease car arrangements.

Buildings

• The opening of some new buildings e.g. the Women’s Centre, St Luke's Phase 2 and the extension to Oncology, to provide modern healthcare facilities and which incorporate a variety of energy saving and sustainable features.  These buildings have all achieved a NEAT 'excellent' score.
• The use of spray taps and proximity detectors in St Luke's Phase 2 to reduce water consumption.

Catering

• Changes to the cooking and meal systems in Cheltenham General Hospital to reduce electrical consumption. 
• National recognition (December 2011) by the Soil Association for managing to source more than 30% of our food from local suppliers (within 25 miles) and a further 30% from suppliers within 50 miles of the Trust.

Procurement

• Early work with suppliers on carbon disclosure.
• Working with suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging.

Waste Reduction

• Cardboard recycling has been extended to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
• Collection of Christmas cards in January 2012 for donation to the Cobalt greetings card donation scheme.

Collaborative Working

• Continued joint working with the Countywide Partnership Groups and participation in a range of other regional and local networks.
• Active participation in the Cheltenham Low Carbon Partnership, the Public Sector Task Group, the South West NHS Sustainability Network and the Climate Change Panel.

Strategic / Management

• The development of a Board-agreed Sustainable Development Management Plan
• Confirmation from the Carbon Trust that the first stage of the Carbon Trust Project has been successfully achieved.
• A range of initiatives associated with health improvement and promoting the health of staff, patients and the public, led and overseen by the Trust’s Health and Well-being Group.

 Workforce

• A section on sustainability has been added to the Trust Induction booklet.
• A statement on sustainability is now included as part of all new job descriptions.