Annual Report and Accounts - The Great Western Hospital

7 SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
7.1 Strong focus on sustainability
The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises that there are many benefits of
having a strong focus on all aspects of sustainability, which means we continue to meet the needs of
the present without compromising the needs of future generations. There are short, medium and long
term advantages to making sure that we are able to continue to provide healthcare of the highest
standard in a sustainable way.
In June 2011 the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust merged with Wiltshire Community
Health Services (WCHS), to form a much larger Trust. As part of the merger the Trust took over
responsibility for several properties and services previously managed by WCHS. Since the merger
planned closures of two health centres have been completed and admin services being centralised
ending the lease on a further two buildings. Through out this report information is shown separately
for the Great Western Hospital and WCHS. WCHS data for previous years has been taken from
estate reports, but it could not be verified. In next year’s report the data for 2011/12 will be combined
so that a clear comparison on performance can be shown. Where possible the WCHS data has been
benchmarked as changes in the organisation make direct comparisons difficult.
7.2 Energy
Carbon reduction is one area where the Trust has specific targets that it is required to achieve. The
target being focused on currently is achieving a 10% reduction in CO 2 e emissions from a 2007
baseline by 2015. Achieving this target will assist the NHS as a whole with reaching the overall target
of reducing 80% CO 2 e emission by 2050. These targets are tough and require careful management if
we are to achieve our share of reductions. However, there are very good business reasons to
undertake our activities in a sustainable way. Reduction in unnecessary consumption almost always
means reduced costs and management. This in turn means that the Trust can dedicate more time
and resources on frontline patient care.
Graphs 1 and 2 show the total measured emissions produced by each organisation. At GWH carbon
emissions from air and rail travel have only been measured in 2011/12, this information is not
available in WCHS. Mechanisms are being put in place to capture all staff business travel to increase
the accuracy of scope 2 emissions data next year. At present there is no mechanisms for measuring
or controlling emissions from scope 3 activities, however, as part of our focus on carbon we are
committed to reducing the wider environmental and social impacts associated with the procurement
of goods and services. Part of our sustainability procurement policy will outline how the Trust will
start to work with suppliers and other third parties to assist with reducing these emissions.
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