Events Archive

Meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, taking place at 2 Rivergate, Bristol, from 1.00-3.45pm.  The meeting includes national and regional updates and a chance to meet other SD leads and share best practice.

The 2012 Public Health Residential School will take place on 25-26 September 2012, please note this date in your diary. The Residential School is a unique opportunity for people working in a variety of fields relevant to public health to expand their public health horizons in the beautiful setting of Dartington Hall. Delegates will be able to take part in a range of workshops, social activities and fringe events over the two days and network with colleagues from across the region.

This year's National Parks Week is a celebration of our beautiful winning landscapes which have inspired mountaineers, sailors, cyclists, runners and Olympic athletes to aim higher and train harder - sometimes to record-breaking effect.

This event provides the opportunity to improve understanding of the implications for the health of the region of the changes to the planning system and the reforms of the NHS, to learn from each other and to share good practice from across the region. It will also see the regional launch of the TCPA “How to reunite health with planning” handbook aimed to assist local authority planners and public health officers, those involved in the new public health structures, and other associated officers in housing and sustainability.

The United Nations' (UN) World Population Day is annually observed on July 11 to reaffirm the human right to plan for a family. It encourages activities, events and information to help make this right a reality throughout the world.

The National Obesity Forum (NOF) and MEND launch the inaugural National Childhood Obesity Week - nearly 1 in 3 children in the UK are obese (one third).

Promotes environmental awareness. The theme for this years Recycle Week will once again be 'Recycling - Home and Away'.

Bike Week is the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event - it aims to highlight the health benefits of cycling, to promote the bicycle as a good alternative to getting in the car and to show that cycling can easily be part of everyday life. Last year NHS organisations across the country took part organising events ranging from bike breakfasts and adult beginners classes to Dr Bike checks and charity events. NHS organisations and staff can now register their event and take part by going to www.bikeweek.org.uk.

Samsung Bike Week is the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, with almost half a million people participating at events across the country. The aim is to promote everyday cycling for everyone and to get more people cycling, more often. Samsung Bike Week events offer something for everyone; from families, schools and companies, to seasoned cyclists and those who have never cycled before.

Meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, taking place at 2 Rivergate (conf room 6/7) in Bristol from 1.15-4.30pm.  The meeting includes national and regional updates and a chance to meet other SD leads and share best practice.

Diabetes Week aims to dispell some of the myths around diabetes and raise awareness of healthy lifestyles.

HSJ Efficiency Awards have extended the entry deadline until Monday 1 May.

The NHS ‘Day of Action on Sustainability that will be held on the 28th March 2012. Visit the website - www.nhssustainabilityday.co.uk – for more detail. On the site you can download an event pack, which has a huge amount of useful information, including a simple carbon calculator and info for different areas of the organisation.

‘Adapting to Climate Change – building adaptation into new health and local authority structures’ is one day conference developed in partnership with Sustainability South West and Climate SouthWest. It will be held on Monday, 12 March 2012 at the Somerset Cricket Ground in Taunton from 10.00am - 3.30pm.

Public Sector Efficiency Expo is the UK’s only free to attend, one-day conference and exhibition dedicated to helping the public sector deliver better services, more efficiently and effectively. For more information, visit the event website

This day-seminar will bring together progressive thinkers from the NHS, private sector, local authorities, and others with an interest in where our health services are going and how intelligent investment could be structured to give long term sustainability flexibility and value.  This event is for those who seek more imagination and ambition in their plans for the future of local acute care and who can see them being much more integrated with civic life. There will be four presentations from the perspectives of healthcare, sustainability, the built environment and finance. Cost: £195+VAT . To register email rachael@durrow.org.uk

Quarterly meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, for sustainability leads from all regional NHS Trusts and their colleagues. This meeting's topics include an update from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and Greenspace South West. We will also cover regional and national updates, inlcuding NHS transition. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.

As global warming brings about changes in the Earth's climate, the resulting effect on human health is likely to put significant strain on the world's healthcare systems. In addition to inspecting the effects that climate change will have on health and healthcare, this event will investigate the effect of the health industry's carbon footprint and ways in which its contribution to global warming can be mitigated. The event will also take a look at the correlation between healthy lifestyles and "green" lifestyles.

NHS Forest, the organisation which aims to plant 1.3 million trees (one for every NHS employee) by 2015 are holding their annual event at Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry. The day includes finding out more about NHS Forest, a workshop on "delivering the NHS Forest" and an awards ceremony hosted by Pam Warhurst, (Chair of the Forestry Commission). If you would like to go to this event, please contact sarah.dandy@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk.

ETS UK is a major new international environmental trade show that will provide a major platform for UK organisations to showcase their knowledge, skills and innovations, and will be combined with a one day conference and workshops. 

In late June, DECC announced a number of proposals for simplifying the CRC, following a consultation earlier in the year. This webinar will summarize the changes, and discuss how they are likely to affect CRC participants. The webinar will take place at 3pm, and you will need to sign up for a (free) 2degrees account. Visit the 2degrees website for more information.

liftshare Week is all about giving car-sharing a try - and discovering the financial, social, environmental and stress-reducing benefits that come with it! Thousands of individuals signed up to car-share during last year's liftshare Week campaign. And with petrol prices hitting record highs, this year's campaign will focus on how fuel can still cost drivers what it did 12, 18 and even 28 years ago - if they share with 1, 2 or 3 other people.  Visit the website.

The health consequences of climate change are predicted to be devastating. We have an opportunity to raise awareness and involving people as what is good for the climate is also good for health. This meeting will provide an insight into the challenges involved in getting this message across, combining expert speakers on the anticipated consequences, people's reactions to them, and effective communication on the issue. For more information visit the RSM website.

The Climate and Health Council and Medact are hosting a meeting to share ideas and develop future actions around sustainability, environment and health issues.  The meeting is open to all Medact and Climate and Health Council members, and other health professionals interested in finding out more about sustainable clinical care, and carbon taxation.  They invite short presentations (5-15 minutes) from those who have examples of action for health and sustainability. There will be information sessions and question time with key figures in both organisations. If you would like to bring an example of your work please contact Sarah and if you would like to attend, please sign up at the Climate and Health website.

Quarterly meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, for sustainability leads from all regional NHS Trusts and their colleagues. This meeting's topics include an update from the national NHS Sustainable Development Unit (including national transition updates and the Route Map) and from ClimateSW (covering the UKCCRA and local climate plans). We will also cover regional and national updates. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.

Love Parks Week is organised annually by parks charity GreenSpace, a charity which helps local people to improve parks and green spaces. The week is now established as a major event, celebrated in parks across the country, enabling thousands of people to get out and enjoy their parks and help put forward the case for reinvestment. For more information visit the Love Parks Week website.

15 July is the closing date for this year's HSJ awards, which once again includes the Good Corporate Citizenship category to promote sustainability. For information, visit the awards website.

This webinar, organised by 2degrees will highlight the motivation for companies to take part in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Supply Chain Program and describe the main drivers for action.  Frances Way, Head of Supply Chain will draw on the key findings from the CDP Supply Chain Report 2011, highlight key trends and common challenges encountered, and showcase specific examples of steps taken by corporations to successfully reduce their carbon emissions. Visit the 2degrees website for information. 

This 2degrees webinar (starting at 4pm) will provide an overview of the new study, “Life Cycle Assessment: A Guide for Sustainability and Strategy Executives,” which explores the use of LCA and the market for LCA tools and services.  The webinar will describe how companies that learn to use LCA can do more than improve their environmental performance, but also foster product innovation, make credible environmental marketing claims, and stay ahead of regulations that could otherwise shut them out of markets. Visit the 2degrees website to register (you may need to sign up if you haven't already).

This free seminar, from 1.00pm (for 1.30pm start) – 4.30pm, will consider how we build capacity across the professions as new challenges arise, drawing on international and local examples of different approaches and roles in integrating planning and health.

This online webinar session (3pm start) - will discuss the opportunities and technical considerations of co-generation and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, and the savings which can be realised from these. This is part of the 2degrees network (greener healthcare) so you may need to sign up (free) to access. Visit the 2degrees website for information.

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. This session will discuss how to comply with the CRC specifically from the point of view of NHS trusts. It will include discussions around registration, budgeting, allowance purchasing, internal organisation and practical energy efficiency. For information visit the2degrees website

The South West Sustainable Procurement Network will be celebrating two years of the project by signing off with the Annual Sustainable Procurement Conference. This year's conference will revolve around the environmental, social and economic aspects which make up sustainability and will include guest speakers and case studies.  This event will be of particular relevance to all those in procurement and sustainable development.  

Organised by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and supported by NHS South West, this popular seminar series continues with a focus on new agendas in health and spatial planning. The key theme for the seminar will be the opportunities resulting from public health joining with local authorities.

Climate Week is an exciting new national campaign happening at the end of March- it is an opportunity for organisations to profile their practical solutions to climate change under a national banner.  Organisations from every sector of society will be running events and activities and promoting their best and most innovative sustainable practice.  For full details please visit the Climate Week website.

This meeting is organised by the Royal Society of Medicine Section of Nephrology and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. It aims to highlight how advances in electronic communications are improving delivery of healthcare and protecting the environment.

With carbon becoming an ever more talked about aspect of sustainability, phrases such as "Low Carbon Economy"and "Scope 3 Emissions" appearing more frequently and with the advent of drivers such as NI 185 and the Carbon Reduction Commitment it is more important than ever to ensure an understanding of the subject, particularly in relation to procurement.

On the 1st February 2011 the NHS Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) will present its Vision for Sustainable Health: A Route Map. The launch, with keynote speaker, Sir David Nicholson, will help map out how sustainable development is integral to the long term future of healthcare. It will signal the next steps that we can all take to ensure our health system is truly fit for the future, and will also demonstrate how sustainability can save your organisation money and improve quality and resilience. Due to the size of the venue and to keep the event as sustainable as possible, numbers are limited, however the SDU are looking at web technologies to make the event accessible to a wider audience. More information is available on the SDU website (search: Vision for Sustainable Health)

On February the 1st 2011 the NHS Sustainable Development Unit launched the Route Map for Sustainable Health. More than 220 people from healthcare and business came to the launch held at St Barts hospital in London.

As part of the “Procuring the Future” document, Whole Life Costing helps assess the cost of a procurement from acquisition to disposal. Frequently seen as a complex area, these sessions are designed to show how it can be used in a more easily followed fashion.

Quarterly meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, for sustainability leads from all regional NHS Trusts and their colleagues. This meeting's topics include the work of local authorities on climate change and adaptation and project planning for the next 12 months; and will also cover regional and national updates. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.

Forward Commitment Procurement (FCP) is a way of working with potential suppliers to deliver innovative solutions. This one day session is being delivered by Gaynor Whyles, the UK expert on FCP who will introduce the purpose, practice and principles of FCP as a tool for sustainability, climate change adaptation and efficiency through a mix of presentations, discussions and exercises.

Based on the outcomes of the sustainable procurement task force of the United Nations Marrakech Process, these sessions developed by DEFRA and WRAP provide an introduction to sustainable procurement and help public bodies develop an implementation prioritisation methodology.

Earthscan is running a free Pre-COP webinar on Thursday 11 November 2010 at 17:00. This 30 minute presentation, followed by Q & A, is presented by Chris Rose – author of How to Win Campaigns: Communications for Change – and Lorraine Whitmarsh, author of Engaging the Public with Climate Change: Behaviour Change and Communication.

Energy Saving Week kicks off on October 25th and for five days, homeowners can learn how to save energy and the environment. Run by the Energy Saving Trust, the week will see a series of Q&A sessions by energy experts, waiting to answer questions on issues such as how to generate your own energy to pay as you save schemes and types of double glazing. All good information to pass on to staff, patients and visitors! Visit the Energy Saving Week website for more information.

Quarterly meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, for sustainability leads from all regional NHS Trusts and their colleagues. This meeting's topics include Sustainable Commissioning (NHS Gloucestershire) and Communications (mini-workshop led by Futerra); and will also cover regional and national updates. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.

With carbon becoming an ever more talked about aspect of sustainability, phrases such as "Low Carbon Economy"and "Scope 3 Emissions" appearing more frequently and with the advent of drivers such as NI 185 and the Carbon Reduction Commitment it is more important than ever to ensure an understanding of the subject, particularly in relation to procurement.

The world's largest sustainable travel event, The European Mobility Week September 16th to 22nd, focuses on health and mobility with "Travel Smarter, Live Better" as its catchy slogan in 2010. The benefits of active travel on health are well known, people who walk and cycle regularly are fitter, live longer, feel better, and with the cost of fuel once more on the rise, they even save money too. Mobility Week is the perfect occasion to encourage people to give sustainable travel a try, and we are looking for Local Authorities, businesses, schools and universities, hospitals and NHS trusts, community groups and charities to join us in promoting smarter travel this September.

Quarterly meeting of the NHS South West Sustainability Network, for sustainability leads from all regional NHS Trusts and their colleagues. Topics to be presented and discussed with be confirmed, and the meeting will also cover regional and national updates. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.

The contribution to the local economy from procurement activities is not often measured, but can provide vital evidence of the impact of procurement in a given region. Local multiplier studies can measure this in an easy and straightforward manner.

There are a number of drivers to increase the level of SMEs delivering goods and services to public bodies. The supply market needs to know what is expected of them, in terms of how to bid for contract opportunities and sustainability. These sessions aim to address these issues.

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

Part of the South West Sustainable Procurement Network's Regional Training Programme. Driven by carbon chain emission reduction targets such as NI 185, it is important for public bodies to understand and be able to measure the carbon emissions from their procurement activities and supply chains. This free session will look at how this can be done.

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

A unique opportunity to obtain all the tools an information you need to make Fairtrade a key part of your sustainable procurement, satisfying customers and ensuring farmers in developing countries get a fair deal. Speakers from the Fairtrade Foundation, Bristol City Council, People and Planet and more, covering topics such as textiles including uniforms and workwear, schools and catering, all in the fabulous surroundings of the Eden Project.

This free one-day workshop is organised by the Combined Heat and Power Association, with support from the Department of Health and the NHS SDU. It is for NHS energy buyers and will give practical guidance on how Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems work, the different technology and financing options available. It will also look at existing case studies and feature a tour of a working CHP plant.To book a place, contact Craig Dennett by email or 0207 828 4077. Download a programme at the CHPA website.

The 5th June is World Environment Day (WED). WED is one of the ways the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action. WED’s aim is give a human face to environmental issues and enable people to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. For more information visit the UNEP website.

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

This course introduces delegates to the successful tools and strategies needed to deploy an effective marketing campaign to achieve travel behaviour change. It has been developed as the second stage of training for delegates who have completed the 'Introduction to Travel Planning'. It is also suitable for delegates who have not taken the introductory course, but assumes that delegates will have both knowledge and experience of the theory and practice of travel planning and related travel behavioural change roles.

Sustainability South West and Natural England haev teamed up to present PLANTING IDEAS...for a Better Green Infrastructure, master class series. The master classes are an opportunity for all those engaged with the investment and delivery of green infrastructure (GI) across the South West to further explore and share the multi functional benefits that GI provides. Each session is a chance to learn from national academics and experts, discuss issues and apply your knowledge to your place, and aims to help you ensure delivery of better GI in new or regenerated places, and sustainable communities in villages, towns and cities across the South West. 

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

EMS Easy Training and Support - Global Action Plan is providing training in environmental management systems (EMS) using the new 'EMS Easy' toolkit – an easier way to implement an EMS and specifically developed for small and medium sized businesses.

Sustainability South West and Natural England haev teamed up to present PLANTING IDEAS...for a Better Green Infrastructure, master class series. The master classes are an opportunity for all those engaged with the investment and delivery of green infrastructure (GI) across the South West to further explore and share the multi functional benefits that GI provides. Each session is a chance to learn from national academics and experts, discuss issues and apply your knowledge to your place, and aims to help you ensure delivery of better GI in new or regenerated places, and sustainable communities in villages, towns and cities across the South West. 

This conference will share findings and both strategic and practical recommendations from the Sustainable Social Care Programme. The Programme is exploring how sustainable development approaches can help realise the vision of Putting People First and support the improvement and efficiency agenda including CAA. It is a joint initiative by DH and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), with support from the Improvement & Development Agency (IDeA) and the Sustainable Development Commission. For more information visit the event website.

15 April is the closing date for the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award. Public sector clients, architects, project managers, built environment professionals and contractors are invited to enter the 2010 Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award.

Confronting the Public Health Crisis - Global issues, local actionHealth and wellbeing in a time of ecological and economic crisesThe UK Public Health Association has chosen the South West for the Annual Public Health Forum taking place in March 2010. The South West is leading the way in collaborative working on combating climate change and promoting sustainable development and is delighted to be welcoming the UKPHA Annual Forum in 2010. Although Dorset is one of the healthiest counties in England, Bournemouth and Poole experience some of the starkest differences in life expectancy within its boundaries. The public health community are dedicated to reducing these inequalities and are eager to share with and learn from their colleagues across the country.

The aim of this FREE workshop is to give you a greater understanding of why people travel, what alternatives exist and how you can introduce policy and behaviour changes that support sustainable travel. The day will look at how travel is currently purchased and whether this provides best value, consider whether this helps adoption of a best practice travel policy, discuss achieving a sustainable approach to travel, provide practical advice on how to influence travel behaviour. Please register online at http://hub.westmidlandsiep.gov.uk/e...=84&EventRef=47

A recent report published by the WHO spells out the calamity of women’s health across the globe. Climate change will make matters worse. Find out the national and international issues from as far afield as India and Switzerland and closer to home in the NHS in England at this FREE event on 12 March (at 1.30pm). For more information visit the event website

Groundwork South West Environmental Business Services (in ocnjunction with envision law) invite you to their EVIRONMENTAL LAW SEMINAR - 2010 ANNUAL UPDATE          

Environmental legislation is only a headache if you aren't aware of the changes! The rapid expansion in the scope of environmental law has continued apace since the last Annual Environmental Law Update. 

Groundwork South West Environmental Business Services (in ocnjunction with envision law) invite you to their EVIRONMENTAL LAW SEMINAR - 2010 ANNUAL UPDATE          

Environmental legislation is only a headache if you aren't aware of the changes! The rapid expansion in the scope of environmental law has continued apace since the last Annual Environmental Law Update. 

The Sustainable Landscape Series, sponsored by Arup Landscape, is a free public lecture series exploring issues of sustainability, sustain-able development and sustainable living. This series aims to explore various innovative approaches and themes connected with the creation of landscapes to enhance the health of both people and planet.

Sustainability is a core business theme for almost every organisation in today’s global economy.  Procurement is central to the sustainability agenda in specifying and contracting for the resources that organisations require.  Everyone involved in procurement needs to understand how it can help to achieve the organisation’s sustainability goals.

NHS Sustainable Development 2010 - One Future, Different Paths will examine the overall Sustainable Development strategy for the NHS - an all-encompassing remit, which takes into account social, environmental and economic development - and how this interlinks with/impacts upon current Government policy to reduce the UK's carbon emissions under the Climate Change Act 2008; creating a sustainable NHS legacy for the future.

The second of two training workshops the SDU will be delivering on 1 February, open to all Trusts in the South West:

Procurement workshop 14.00 – 16.00

The NHS Sustainable Development Unit has a vision of NHS organisations to become an "exemplar in leading the population-wide shift to more active and low carbon travel such as public transport, cycling and walking."

This Masterclass looks at the policies required to bring about this shift, the business case for travel planning for the NHS and the wider health benefits that accrue from healthy travel. It takes place in Cambridge on 29 January from 9.30am - 4.00pm.

This event aims to provide the current information on the impact of climate change within the SW and how it will impact on public health. The day will explore the need for public/environmental health professionals to respond to both the potential and anticipated impacts of climate change and sustainability on public health.

The 'Designing Environments to Encourage Physical Activity' Conference is free to attend and is closely associated with the work that Gloucestershire County Council, district councils, the Voluntary and Community sector, NHS Gloucestershire, Natural England and the University of Gloucestershire are undertaking around promoting physical activity through improving the built and natural environment (please see the attached NICE Guidance Quick Reference Guide for more information).

ACC and OGC will be holding a free one-day workshop on 25th November (10.00-16.00) at Defra’s Innovation Centre in Reading on climate change adaptation and public procurement. The workshop is targeted at procurement, estates and sustainability professionals across the public sector as well as private sector organisations contracted by the public sector to deliver capital build projects.

The IEMA accredited CPD training course aims to provide procurers with the key tools and techniques of sustainable procurement. Attendees leave the course with the capability and confidence to understand and exploit the benefits of procuring effectively and responsibly.

Visit www.southwestforum.org.uk/ for full details and booking information.

The events are open to the public, staff and colleagues alike. Please pop in to see exhibitions, enter competitions and discover lots of information about climate change and what NBT is doing to raise environmental awareness as we celebrate the first birthday of our campaign, 'Treading Lightly'.

Over 1600 actions have been pledged in 131 countries, united by a common call to action on October 24.

This new half-day workshop will demystify sustainability and provide you with a good understanding of the topic. The training will give participants a basic understanding of sustainability and sustainability principles relevant to all sectors and experience of how to appraise a project plan, strategy or decision-making process against sustainability principles.

Suppliers can apply for the NHS PASA sponsored ‘Suppliers Delivering Sustainability award’ using the online application form available at www.scawards.co.uk.

Healthy Communities Research Forum's Supporting the health and well-being of children and young people through improved access to green space.

Carbon Footprint workshop for HefmA South and West - taking place in Taunton on 9 October 2009. The day will cover carbon reporting, Utilities, energy & water (North Devon HC), Procurement & Food (Salisbury NHSFT), Travel & Transport (Hants Partnership and ES Trust), Waste (C&IoS PCT), Built Environment (2gether), Sustainability SW (SSW) and Good Corp Citizen Assessment (Salisbury NHSFT)

Towards competition and plurality - the new commercial model is designed to enhance commercial and procurement skills across the NHS to enable the delivery of high quality and personalised care.

The South West Sustainable Procurement Network (SWSPN) is a two year project, headed by Bristol City Council, with the remit to provide information, training and support to SW public sector bodies.

The South West Sustainable Procurement Network (SWSPN) is a two year project, headed by Bristol City Council, with the remit to provide information, training and support to SW public sector bodies.

Achieving a low carbon NHS requires transformational changes in the way the NHS operates.

This event aims to explore leading edge thinking around the arts, sustainability and mental wellbeing and demonstrate through inspirational case studies, how the arts can contribute to the care and inequalities agenda.

Bike Week is the UK's largest mass participation cycling event and provides an annual opportunity to promote cycling as a source of fitness, fun and an alternative form of transport.