Green workplace
Green issues are important to public health, whether it’s to do
with air pollution from traffic, the health benefits of walking and
cycling, or the management of hazardous waste. Since 2008 the Trust
has had a dedicated member of staff to look after environmental
issues.
Getting around
NHS City and Hackney believes in the importance of walking,
cycling and using public transport whenever possible. We have
improved cycling facilities for staff and visitors at St Leonard’s
and are actively working to make further improvements elsewhere.
Good information about walking routes is available
from http://www.walkit.com/ For
cycling and public transport routes see Transport for London's
journey planner.
Environmental projects
The Trust has organised its environmental work into five
categories: buildings, procurement, transport, recycling and
engagement. Examples of current activities in these areas include
the display of energy certificates in the larger buildings; the
development of a strategy to reduce the environmental impact of
purchasing decisions; the production of a travel plan; the
unveiling of a modern office recycling system; and the
encouragement of participation through the Staff Environment
Network. We have also developed a gardening club following the
success of St Leonard’s in becoming one of the first sites in
London to participate in the Capital Growth
initiative.
Sustainable development and the
NHS
In January 2009 the NHS Sustainable Development Unit
published a national strategy ‘Saving Carbon,
Improving Health’ which sets out how NHS organisations
will respond to the challenges of climate change and sustainable
development. Other organisations providing support and advice to
the NHS include the Climate and Health Council,
who encourage the health sector to respond to climate change, and
the Mayor of London's Green Procurement Code
which provides support for reducing the impact of purchasing
decisions. Locally, Greener Hackney
provides support and advice on green issues.