Sustainability within the Trust

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust recognises the impacts of climate change and the importance of our role in reducing our contribution to climate change. Tackling climate change and moving toward a more sustainable future will provide many healthcare benefits.

Active travel is a prime example of where a no carbon solution works to address many of our current health challenges from tackling obesity to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The buildings that we deliver services from can play an important role in driving down our carbon footprint. We recognise that there is scope to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and we are working to identify where improvements can be made.

We need to look at all ways to reduce the carbon footprint of travel whilst focusing on our strategic objectives such as the delivery of care closer to home. The theme of sustainability can apply to all aspects of our service delivery and development and, as a test of how we procure and provide services in the future; we need to ensure that sustainability sits alongside quality of service user experience, effectiveness of services, and safety for service users and staff.

The financial challenges faced by the NHS are unprecedented, and the Trust aims to set realistic, deliverable objectives which are in line with National and local strategy.