Trust launches new Green Plan

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has published its Green Plan to 2028 which outlines plans to help protect the planet over the next 3 years.

As one of the largest NHS Trusts, Guy’s and St Thomas’ has a crucial role to play to improve the health of local communities and reduce its impact on the environment.

This will be made a reality through a coordinated approach, including:

• championing sustainability across clinical pathways, focusing on areas where we can make the biggest difference, such as acute medicine, emergency care and diagnostics
• delivering home appointments and remote care and greening our vehicles to reduce emissions from travel
• helping our staff and patients to walk, wheel and cycle and choose increasingly plant-based diets
• transforming green spaces and improving the air that we breathe to prevent and manage illnesses
• implementing digital tools that help staff make the best clinical decisions and reduce emissions
• reducing our reliance on non-essential single-use items, and switching to reusable alternatives wherever possible

As well as creating a healthier local environment, these measures will improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and visitors.

Tendai Wileman, Chief of Staff and Director of Organisational Change and Net Zero Board Lead, said: 

We have a unique opportunity at Guy’s and St Thomas’ to deliver meaningful change that benefits our patients, people and planet.

“I’m delighted to launch our Green Plan which outlines our vision for a greener future, as we work towards achieving Net Zero in our own operations by 2040.

“Our Green Plan will help us continue to build a Trust fit for the future – focused on world-leading, preventative and low-carbon healthcare.”

The Green Plan builds on existing action at Guy's and St Thomas’ to deliver environmentally sustainable healthcare.

Patients are being supported in recovery through gardening sessions, while the Trust’s patient transport fleet now includes electric hybrid taxis and electric bikes for neighbourhood nurses.