Staff, Patients & Visitors

How staff, patients and visitors travel to and from NHS services has a huge impact on the organisation’s carbon footprint and the health of the individual. 

STAFF Each NHS organisation can provide travel allowances that incentivise the use of low carbon vehicles. If differentiated rates are maintained, the maximum rates should be paid for low carbon options such as cycling. The NHS can provide car mileage allowances that provide incentives to use low carbon vehicles. Maximum rates for mileage should be paid for low carbon options such as cycling.

Where staff do not need to travel to meet or to do their work, there should be every incentive and opportunity available to reduce the time and distance travelled. This can increase productivity, improve safety, save money, and reduce carbon emissions. All NHS organisations should make training and equipment available that promote tele, video and web-conferencing. Staff groups and Trade Unions are crucial in helping the design and implementation of environmentally sensitive travel plans.

The Energy Saving Trust offers a free 'Green Fleet Review' (for organisations with a fleet of 50 or more) which will help to streamline your fleet, promote efficiencies and save money and carbon. Visit the EST Green Fleet website for more information.

PATIENTS & VISITORS It must be remembered that 59% of the poorest 20% of households in the UK have no access to a car and therefore rely on other forms of transport to NHS facilities. And 1.4 million people missed, turned down or chose not to seek medical help due to transport difficulties in the space of one year. Therefore other forms of transport, including access to and information about, public transportation options must be well integrated into any NHS facility and be keen to all travel plans.