| 1 Introduction |
BrisDoc, in the provision of Integrated Urgent Care (IUC), primary care services and in-hours primary care, is focused on operating within a highly effective Environmental Management framework that moves towards delivering services with a low carbon footprint. BrisDoc’s Net Zero Care strategy is a vision and strategy for a more sustainable health and care system for the NHS. Our Green Plan for sustainability has evolved over the years since BrisDoc formed, we have evolved a ten-step model that aligns to the NHS Programme Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service initiative. The Corporate Leadership Board has set a goal to achieve net zero by 2030, or sooner if feasible.
The Green Board was established in November 2021. The Green Board is responsible for setting and overseeing the implementation of the Green Plan, as well as developing a culture of sustainability. The board comprises co-owners from all services as well as a patient reference group representative, with the aspiration to become net zero by 2030, or sooner if feasible.
BrisDoc will operate well prepared and sustainable services which reflect the aspirations of the Climate Change Act 2008, and meet the requirements for ISO14001 standards for environmental management. This supports BrisDoc to meet its core value Our Social Impact.
- Environmental Management
3.1 Suppliers and Procurement
BrisDoc will assess the environmental risk of contractors who supply the organisation considering locality of supplier, use and disposal of product and packaging. Planning will include minimising travel, disposal of commercial waste, use of resources and production methods, minimising packaging. As part of the annual tender process, all companies tendering will be required to complete our Suppliers Environmental Questionnaire (appendix page 8). When purchasing all items across the service, we adopt the reuse, recycle and reduce method where possible. When researching for products the environmental and recyclable materials would be our first .
3.2 Services/Contractors
If contractors are to be used through BrisDoc, we will consider organisations more highly if they are environmentally friendly and hold the ISO14001 . It will be expected for partnerships to share information regarding environmental impact reduction to ensure consistency across the company.
3.3 Buildings
Any building design will include an assessment of environmental impact as part of the design phase. When integrated services are provided from a single location, BrisDoc will work in partnership with other users to minimise the environmental impact of services.
3.4 Energy and Water
BrisDoc will continuously seek ways to save energy and water, in both the short and longer term. BrisDoc will work together with its line managers and employed co-owner to raise awareness. In order to achieve the desired aims, this Policy will be implemented and achieved by;
Monitor and report on energy consumption and identify and implement opportunities for improved energy efficiency.
Pursue the use of renewable and alternative energy sources to supplement conventional energy sources.
Comply with the energy savings opportunity scheme (ESOS) embracing recommendations from the audit where appropriate.
Purchasing fuel, energy supplies and other utilities at the most economic cost, making the change to renewables and carbon offsetting.
Reduce the amount of pollution, particularly CO2 emissions, caused by inefficient energy consumption.
Green Board raising the awareness of co-owners on energy conservation matters
Having energy consumption data available for all buildings, this can be collected by monitoring energy usage within each building by monitoring and recording the units of electricity and gas used.
Reviewing routine maintenance, including major replacements against an energy efficiency checklist to ensure that opportunities to switch fuels, install controls or improve thermal standards ect. are taken.
3.5 Solid Waste
BrisDoc have some systems in place to segregate domestic waste. There is a system for paper recycling and shredding of confidential waste in all BrisDoc services. As much recovery as possible of general refuse like aluminium cans, cardboard, glass, plastic, fluorescent tubes and batteries are actively recycled. Clinical waste is incinerated by the Landlord. In all BrisDoc services printer toner cartridges are provided and collected by a single supplier who recycle used cartridges.
BrisDoc will continuously review its processes to eliminate or reduce processes that cause the majority of waste.
3.6 Effluent
BrisDoc will minimise the environmental impact of all substances that are discharged to the drain. BrisDoc will identify substances that are discharged to the drain and minimise the amount of at least the most hazardous. If hazardous substances are being discharged to the drain BrisDoc will quantify and find alternative methods for disposal. Any chemical that is a hazard to health will be assessed through COSHH procedures.
3.7 Grounds
Currently all BrisDoc grounds are under the management of a landlord. BrisDoc will work with the Landlord to ensure that the grounds are managed properly and not contaminate, they will also work with the landlords to develop green spaces within the grounds to encourage nature and help aid staff wellbeing. BrisDoc will identify any risks that it identifies in regards to the grounds.
3.8 Emissions
BrisDoc will comply with the law and ensure a proactive approach to the emissions it creates. BrisDoc will ensure that all its vehicles are low emissions with the target to electric vehicles, and ensure maximum productivity in the use of each vehicle. BrisDoc will identify alternatives to car travel to and from its centres. Brisdoc will incentivise active travel for staff by ensuring safe cycle parking, on-site shower and changing facilities and promoting the cycle to work scheme. The Green Board will also explore other ways to promote and incentivise active travel and travelling to work via public transport such as prizes and monetary rewards
BrisDoc will make use of conference call and video conferencing options for meetings where practicable to reduce travel and its associated impact on the environment.
3.9 Co-owners and recruitment
BrisDoc will wherever possible recruit our co-owners from local areas and encourage the use of local transport services. All co-owners are also made aware that we are a member of the “NHS Cycle to Work” and have a number of co-owners commuting to work by bike, and also the NHS Fleet Solutions, whereby you can lease vehicles with low emissions, a number of co-owners have replaced their vehicles with electric vehicles.
3.10 Training and awareness raising through the Green Board
BrisDoc will make an effort to give training on as many environmental issues, to as many as is appropriate. The strategy would be to give training on the key environmental aspects and the aspects that cause the largest environmental risk.
Awareness raising of good environmental management and achievement against targets will be undertaken regularly, this will be through the Green Board and at team meetings by line managers, via the co-owners newsletter and on radar which has a dedicated ‘BrisDoc Green Hub’. BrisDoc’s environmental management approach, achievements and targets will be included in the Corporate Handbook and standards for all co-owners set in the Code of Expectations.
3.11 Monitoring and Review
BrisDoc will review its standard operating procedures and policies against environmental aspects and standard procedures will be checked to ensure the activity complies with environmental legislation, other environmental requirements, and the environmental management system. Measurement will be done by metering, counting, calculating or estimating determinant on the key aspect being monitored.
Results will be addressed to the Executive Board and action against non-conformance will be agreed.
Environmental performance will be reviewed annually by the Executive Board. New key environmental aspects will be identified annually and the Governance Manager and Facilities Manager will aim to introduce procedures against them as soon as possible so as not to incur legislative risk. All procedures will be compliant with environmental legislation and the environmental policy.
An annual management review of the environmental management system will be undertaken by the Leadership and Operational Boards and reported to the Corporate Leadership Board.
Learning Events relating to environmental issues will be reported in accordance with the learning event reporting process.
| 3. Environmental Purchasing |
BrisDoc Healthcare Services recognises the critical need to ensure its sustainability by carrying out its purchasing activities in an environmentally responsible manner that also supports its core value of our social impact.
The Facilities team are responsible for the majority of purchasing, this includes; Medication, Consumables, Refreshments and some office equipment, each year a tender process is complete to review our suppliers and sustainability in the products. Along with the Digital team who provide all our IT equipment.
BrisDoc shall therefore undertake to develop purchasing by having regard to quality and cost which includes;
1 Always looking for alternatives for the use of environmentally friendly or sustainable materials and products
2 Promoting the use of long lasting and recyclable products
3 Sourcing and purchasing items from local producers and suppliers, wherever possible.
4 Ensuring that all specifications contain a facility for suppliers to submit prices for environmentally friendly alternative supplies
5 Ensuring food and refreshments are sustainable, fair trade and minimise plastic waste.
BrisDoc will seek to encourage suppliers to have environmental, ethical and social value requirements. These will be recorded in order to track our social value.
All purchasing will promote the use of the least environmentally damaging products, i.e., to place a preference, where design and safety factors allow, on goods which are;
Durable, reusable, refillable or recyclable
Recycled or contain reused materials
From a proven sustainable source
Designed to cause minimal damage to the environment in their production, distribution, use and disposal.
Economically viable and meet the requirements of value for money and quality.
| 2 Energy Management |
BrisDoc Healthcare Services acknowledges the importance of energy as a necessary resource for successfully meeting the organisation’s operational objectives. As part of our Social Impact core value BrisDoc is committed to responsible energy management and will practice energy efficiency throughout all of its premises, utilising its plant and equipment in the most cost-effective manner to achieve good resource care.
In addressing this statement, BrisDoc will:
1 Incorporate energy efficiency measures, including alternative and emerging technologies, into any new or refurbished facilities through best practice in energy efficient design; the selection of sizing of energy efficient plant and equipment, systems and other energy infrastructure.
2 Maintain all plant and equipment, and control and manage systems and energy infrastructure in such a way as to minimise energy wastage.
3 Monitor and report on energy consumption and identify and implement opportunities for improved energy efficiency.
4 Pursue the use of renewable and alternative energy sources to supplement conventional energy sources.
5 Address obligations as a member of the global community including legislative requirements and minimising the impact on the environment.
6 Strive to procure, distribute and maintain energy resources at the lowest cost whilst addressing the items above.
7 Comply with the energy savings opportunity scheme (ESOS) embracing recommendations from the audit where possible.
The corporate objective is therefore to manage energy usage and resources as efficiently as possible so as to minimise waste and reduce the impact on the environment.
To help ensure proper consideration is given to energy management and environmental responsibilities, this Policy will be implemented, monitored and enforced throughout the workplace. All co-owners are expected to work towards the aims of this Policy and co-operate with Managers in its execution.
Supplier’s Environmental Questionnaire
| Do you have an environmental policy statement?
Yes No If “Yes”, please provide a copy |
|||||||||||
| Who has overall responsibility for the environmental matters within your organisation? | |||||||||||
| Name: | Position: | ||||||||||
| Has the company carried out an environmental impact assessment and set environmental objectives as a result?
Yes No
If “Yes”, please provide details |
|||||||||||
| Has your environmental management system been externally assessed, e.g. as part of a competency assessment scheme, ISO14001 etc.?
Yes No
If “Yes”, please provide details and, where applicable, a copy of the certificate. |
|||||||||||
| Does your company carry out legally required environmental registrations as a result of your work activities?
Yes No
If “Yes”, please provide details of the registrations you hold and copies of certificates, e.g., licenced waste carrier, packaging recovery scheme registrations, hazardous waste producer registration. |
|||||||||||
|
Does your company consider their social value and have requirements? – if yes, how? |
|||||||||||
Change Register
| Date | Version | Author | Change Details |