Sustainability

What we are doing

Here are some examples of work we are undertaking on the key areas:

Sustainability is one of our core values
We ask staff to reflect on how they have helped sustainability as part of our appraisals
We ask about sustainability at interviews
Green Impact is a standing item on agendas for meetings
We regularly ask our staff to feedback ideas for improvement
Our weekly staff newsletter promotes Green ideas, events in the community and ways we can all take action
We work collaboratively with our local community

We ensure temperatures are regulated in the building - through the use of an air cooling system and thermostats
Radiators are turned down where possible
Equipment is turned off at the end of each day
Lighting sensors detecting movement in the area/room
Energy - gas and electric - is provided via green energy suppliers
Use of water heaters for making tea and coffee, instead of kettles

All lights are fitted with sensors
Working on a plan to replace all current lights with LED lighting over next 5 years

We only buy Green Energy
Several of our team have completed sustainable procurement training
We ask our suppliers about their environmental policies
We have reviewed our office supplies and made many switches, which include purchasing sustainable pencils and paper
We purchase eco friendly washing up liquid and use refill bottles to reduce plastic use

Commitment to sourcing Fairtrade / local / healthy refreshments when possible
Avoiding food products that do not use sustainable palm oil
Purchasing organic milk from local supplier
Raising awareness with the public about Fairtrade, by supporting Fairtrade Fortnight each March
Sharing food as a team, with regular 'bring and share' lunch days
Installation of refill water bottle station for staff and public use
No longer providing plastic cups at water station encourage users to bring a reusable container.
Providing tea and coffee for staff which is Fairtrade
Reducing single use plastic
Sourcing plastic free tea bags
Using refill bottles for washing up liquid
Encouraging staff and patients to use our water refill station

Ensuring only confidential waste is collected for shredding
All other paper recycled
Clearly labelled bins in clinic rooms for domestic / confidential / sharps / clinical waste
Recycling plastic bottles
Recycling of other materials, including cardboard, printer toner cartridges and batteries
Encouraging patients to consider switching inhaler use to more sustainable version and encouraging recycling of inhalers at our onsite Castlegate Dispensary
See also reducing use of paper below
See also reducing prescribing below

Implementing our travel plan, including promoting walking, cycling and car sharing

Working towards being a paperless Practice where possible
Ceasing use of fax machines
Promoting health education messages to patients via patient information screens in waiting areas, to reduce the use of leaflets
Setting photocopiers to print double sided by default
Photocopiers are able to scan and email documents, to reduce printing
Email signatures include the 'think before you print' logo
Patient communication uses paperless systems where possible
Registration packs have been reviewed and condensed to reduce paper used or available online
Online forms being introduced to website and the use of these to increase

Where possible, the Practice is reducing polypharmacy and over prescribing
Reducing prescribing of opiates - we are working with patients to review their opiod use and reduce where possible
Reducing prescribing of over the counter medicines
Where appropriate, switching prescriptions for inhalers to dry powder inhalers. Read more information on green inhalers.
Returning unwanted medicines to our onsite Castlegate Dispensary where we will dispose of medicines safely protecting patients, staff and the environment.

Whole Practice commitment to achieving the NUS / RCGP Green Impact Award
Commitment to support the National Green Impact Agenda to reduce carbon emissions in line with the 2030 United Nations Sustainability Development Goals
Supporting other Practices and providers to implement the Green Impact Award

Promoting workplace health and wellbeing for our staff – various local resources available
Providing resources on our website to help patients support their health and wellbeing. Visit our Self-Help Centre.
Directing patients to further sources of advice and support via our Social Media, noticeboards, TV screens in the waiting area, newsletters and news articles on our website
Promoting a series of health and wellbeing campaigns each year, for example on specific topics such as alcohol use or on seasonal health issues such as the flu vaccination, promoting national and local campaigns.