2011 Events Archive
December 2011
The theme for this seminar in the popular 'Healthy Communities Research Forum' series will be how spatial planning and public health can support the transition to a sustainable food system that is good for the planet and human health. Attendance free. Refreshments provided.
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.
November 2011
A one-day conference to focus on unlocking the health potential in parks. With recent evidence suggesting that exercising and spending time outdoors can assist in the physical and psychological recovery of cancer patients, dementia sufferers, those with obesity and a variety of other health conditions, these free and natural resources need to be utilised. Complete the online booking form here or call Caroline Carsey on 0118 946 9068 to make a provisional booking.
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.
October 2011
Tthe NHS Forest's annual event will be held on the afternoon of 25th October at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry.
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.
Energy Saving Week is packed full of information to help people start taking action on saving energy at home and work - each day includes information on a different topic, including tips of funding for energy projects and online 'ask the expert' sessions. You can get your colleagues / employees involved with top tips, posters and interactive tools - empowering them to save energy and reduce their bills - just download this pack full of things to help you get started. And for all the details, visit the Energy Saving Week website.
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.
‘Priority Neighbourhoods: health inequalities and the role of planning’ is part of the Healthy Communities Research Forum, a popular seminar series with a theme of linking health with sustainable development. The style of the seminar is to start with practitioners reflecting on theory and practice for key topics. This is followed with opportunities to discuss the implications for practice and then to share thoughts on the outcomes. More information will be available by visiting the Forum website. You can also email Carolyn Webb in the Faculty of Environment and Technology or call 0117 328 3102 to register your interest.
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.
The demand for NHS services is increasing constantly due to the aging population, the growing number of people living with long-term conditions and the rising cost of new drugs and treatments. As a result, its budget is under immense pressure. As the NHS is being reformed, more attention is being given to not simply curing the symptoms, but more importantly, to laying a foundation for a more modern and forward-thinking service: a service focused on identifying the underlying causes, and addressing these causes at the point of origin. Join senior figures from the NHS, Department of Health, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector, will gather to discuss and demonstrate how technology and innovation can help overcome the efficiency challenges whilst improving healthcare services and patient outcomes.
Visit the Healthcare Efficiency through Technology Expo website for more information or register for a free ticket by CLICKING HERE.
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.
September 2011
University Hospitals Bristol will be holding their Big Green Scheme event on 28th September 10-3pm at the Bristol Heart Institute atrium. Everyone is invited to this event, to help celebrate the second year of the Big Green Scheme. As well as staff representing the Big Green Scheme, Physiotherapy, and Green Impact (there new green awards scheme) there will be stalls from local organisations involved in sustainability and the environment. Last year stalls included Avon Beekeepers, Avon Wildlife Trust, Fair trade, City Car Club, Biffa, Centre of Sustainable Energy and Cycling City.
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.
NHS Reuse is a simple, secure, web-based system to facilitate the reuse of furniture and equipment within the NHS, delivering financial and environmental savings. This 30 minute webinar (starting at 2pm) will cover: the background to NHS Reuse, and why University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and Serco have developed it, a demonstration of NHS Reuse, and how it can help deliver financial and environmental savings through reuse to an NHS Trust, the UCLH case study, demonstrating real savings that have been made through using NHS Reuse. CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2DEGREES 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.
Extreme weather already affects the construction, maintenance and liveability of our buildings. How do we ensure that our built environment is resilient to weather and climate, both now and in the future? This conference will offer solutions to this question, and will see the launch and first showing of ‘Construction in a changing climate: building for resilience’ – a new film designed to support industry professionals in adapting to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change. To book your FREE place visit the BuildSW 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.
August 2011
In order to make sustainability integral in your organization, the environment / sustainability team will need to efficiently 'translate' their sustainability goals to the other business functions. This webinar will explore best practice, case-studies and helpful hints on how to achieve this. Visit the 2degrees website for more information - you may need to sign up for a (free) 2 degrees account in order to access.
July 2011
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.
Information and presentations from GrEAN (Green Environment Ambulance Network and Forum) event held at Yorkshire Ambulance Trust on 21 July 2011.
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.
June 2011
Team Green Britain Bike Week (18-26 June) is the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event – last year almost half a million people participated at events across the country. The aim is to get more people cycling, more often, and it offers something for everyone – from families, schools and companies, to seasoned cyclists and those who have never cycled before. In 2011 Team Green Britain Bike Week is aiming to fix as many bikes as possible in one week, so pass on the information across your organisation! For information on local events visit Bike Week.
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.
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 Department of Health regarding the mandatory sustainability reporting and a presentation from Avon Fire Service about their sustainability work. We will also cover regional and national updates. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.
May 2011
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 one-day conference, organised by Sustainability South West, ClimateSW and NHS South West, reflects the increasing increasing professional, societal and legal responsibilities of NHS organisations to plan for, and adapt to, the direct and indirect impacts climate change. Climate adaptation is a key element in how we prepare future service delivery, and has been recognised across central government and the NHS, and is reflected in local and national reporting and management frameworks.
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.
National Walk to Work Week, 9-13 May 2011, is the ideal time to give walking a go. An easy form of exercise requiring no special equipment, walking can be fitted in on your way to or from work, at lunchtime or throughout the day.
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.
April 2011
This online webinar session 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. CLICK HERE for more information and to register your interest.
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
March 2011
Groundwork South West is holding their annual environmental law update in partnership with Bond Pearce and the Environment Agency. Updates will cover a range of legislation including: Waste, Pollution Prevention and Control, Water, Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme, Contaminated land and New EA Civil Sanctions.
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.
As part of Climate Week the SDU is holding a web conference on Thursday 24th March at 3pm. Please join in as David Pencheon describes how we can future-proof the NHS and bring about positive change for our health service. Please contact Rosy Hunt if you’re interested.
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.
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Visit the World Water Day website for more information, resources and ideas of what you can do to get staff involved with saving water in your Trust.
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.
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 Soil Associaton on its 'First Aid for Hospital Food' report, a case study from the RUH, research on involvement of clinical staff from RCH and will also cover regional and national updates. If you would like more infomation, please contact Lynn Gibbons.
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.
February 2011
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 aim of the conference is to showcase both service and university based public health research and evaluation from across the South West. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Public Health collaboration: research, policy and practice’.
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)
The CRC is a complex and still changing piece of regulation that requires participants to manage their energy consumption data and report on it each year. Recent changes to the regulation have meant the carbon allowance purchase is effectively a tax on energy consumption rather than the original recycling of payments. This means you now have more certainty over the cost of the scheme to your organisation, and you can plan your CRC strategy more accurately. The webinar takes place at 10am - Register at the EDF website.
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.
January 2011
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.
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.