Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has been recognised for its sustainability work to become the East of England regional sustainable healthcare champion in the first NHS Excellence Awards.
Trevor Smith Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chief Finance and Resources Officer said: “We are really pleased as this achievement reflects the work that everyone in the Trust has done on sustainability in recent years. It also recognises our commitment to meeting the sustainability challenge and achieving net zero by learning, listening and innovating so that we deliver the highest quality care sustainably to everyone who uses our services.
“Our Green Plan has been in place since 2021 and has made a considerable difference to improving sustainability across all areas of the Trust. It includes sustainability projects to reduce carbon emissions and costs and to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment and the communities we serve.”
Over half of EPUT’s properties are over 40 years old, which brings challenges in terms of sustainability. In the last three years the Trust has made investments in sustainability that have resulted in resulted in savings, by reducing consumption of gas, electricity, and water.and improving building control systems.
Solar panels and LED lighting have been installed at some EPUT sites with a plan to continue to do this at others. Resources have been put into reducing waste at sites across Bedfordshire, Luton, Essex, Southend, Thurrock and Suffolk. This includes recycling items wherever possible and reusing assets within the Trust and donating some to local charities.
EPUT now operate electric and hybrid vehicles and have put in the supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure at several sites.
Trevor continues: “We know there is more we can do to continue to meet the sustainability challenge and have recently launched our new Green Plan. This signifies a step change in sustainability across EPUT and an ongoing programme of work including more renewable energy generation, a clean air campaign and initiatives aimed at improving the energy efficiency rating of all our estate buildings.”
The NHS Excellence Awards are run by, and for, the NHS – shining a light on local projects and teams who are making a real difference to patients and communities, delivering on the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and inspiring others to adopt innovative approaches in their local area.
There were over 2500 entries for the awards and EPUT as the East of England regional champion will be judged against the finalists from the six other regions for one to become the national winner. This will be announced in June.
Information about EPUT
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan/