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As a data controller NHSGGC are required under Article 35(1) of the UKGDPR to complete a data protection impact assessment for all processing which may result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals. This may include e.g. the use of new technologies, the processing of high volumes of special category data or data processing involving data from vulnerable groups. The table below provides a summary of the most recent data protection impact assessments we have completed.

Completed Data Protection Impact Assessments

My Asthma Biologics

Purpose

The purpose of the app is to facilitate the appropriate exchange of data to support close monitoring of patients receiving biologics to track their clinical course and continue to justify eligibility for biologics. Patients are prompted to enter information on their asthma control and exacerbation history to facilitate clinical review. It will enable clinicians to manage patients remotely at scale.

Patients also benefit from digital tools that can improve their compliance with asthma medication and self-management on a continuing basis out of hospital, using features such as inhaler technique videos, personalised asthma action plan, peak flow monitoring and steroid weaning plan.

Date Approved 21.12.2022

Review Date 21.12.2024

Quote from Professor Jason Leitch CBS - As we mark 75 years of the NHS and reflect on what is one of the most remarkable humanitarian achievements of our time, we should also look to the future and consider how healthcare might change in years to come.
Quote from Professor Sir Gregor Smith - As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS, I want to take a moment to thank you for your unwavering dedication to our patients and communities.
Quote from Professor Alex McMahon - Nurses and nursing have been key to delivering good quality health care since the NHS's conception 75 years ago and this remains true today.
Quote from John Burns - Over the last 75 years colleagues across our NHS have shown remarkable dedication, compassion and care for each and every individual in Scotland.
Quote from Caroline Lamb - The 75th Anniversary of the NHS in Scotland provides us with the chance to reflect and celebrate 75 years of achievement.
Prof Jason Leitch
75th Quote – Prof Sir Gregor Smith
Prof Alex McMahon
John Burns
Caroline Lamb
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On 5th July the NHS has a very special birthday. All across the country, hospitals and clinics will be marking 75 years since this wonderful institution was founded – and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be right at the heart of the celebrations.

We will be looking back at the work that has been done to care for the nation, and looking forward to the future, to see how technology and new ways of working can further enhance the great person-centred care provided by our staff.

As well as celebrating this milestone through our stories and on social media, there will be a number of events across our sites, to thank our staff, patients and the public for doing so much to make the NHS what it is today.

Changes

See some of the many changes within the NHS in Greater Glasgow and Clyde over the years in our short video below.

Recent investments and innovations

Here are just a few recent highlights demonstrating the investments in technological advancements in healthcare, and how this supports not only our own patients, but those beyond our shores. You can also learn how new buildings are improving hospital and community based healthcare.

Learn all about our latest innovations on the West of Scotland Innovation Hub, read about how we have invested in new hospitals, health centres and more on our Capital Developments pages, and discover all other latest news and info on our News pages.

Futuristic 3D Holoportation Consultations To Bring Specialist Treatment To Remote Parts Of Scotland

Ground-breaking Holoportation communication technology allows clinicians to carry out consultations remotely in 3D, bringing specialist treatment to the most remote parts of Scotland, without the need for travel. Read the full story…

Grand Opening Sees QEUH Gro-Garden Blend Greenspace, Art And Wellbeing

A wonderful new garden opened in May at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The Gro-Garden has green space, art and wellbeing at its heart and provides a welcome respite spot for staff and patients to enjoy. Read the full story…

Innovative Incubators Supporting People Of Ukraine Following NHSGGC Trials

Over 35 incubators have been sent to the people of Ukraine, with more on the way! These are providing much-needed flexibility to the healthcare system there, supporting clinicians, and saving the lives of babies. Read the full story…

Award Joy For ICAIRD And NHSGGC Biomedical Science Team

Work to digitise lab processes and validate AI within pathology means that the Pathology Lab at QEUH are now processing around 50,000 slide images per month and have developed an archive of over 1.5 million images which can be used for further research and AI learning, to continue to improve the patient experience. Read the full story…

‘At Home COPD Care Gives Me Peace Of Mind When I Need It Most’

Patient praises the use of new technology, which kept him out of hospital over the winter by allowing clinicians to monitor his chronic breathing related disease, while he remained in the comfort of his own home.. Read the full story…

Royal Alexandra Hospital Celebrates New Greenspace And Arts Projects

A number of arts and environmental projects transform various spaces around the hospital, including a run down pond in the grounds of the RAH into a haven of peace and nature, a new Forget-Me-Not mural on the hospital Chaplaincy, the HALO gardens, and the Renfrewshire Tapestry. Read the full story…

Royal Alexandra Hospital Celebrates New Greenspace And Arts Projects

A number of arts and environmental projects transform various spaces around the hospital, including a run down pond in the grounds of the RAH into a haven of peace and nature, a new Forget-Me-Not mural on the hospital Chaplaincy, the HALO gardens, and the Renfrewshire Tapestry. Read the full story…

Celebrations around Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Many of our staff, volunteers, patients and their families, are joining in the celebrations by holding events in our hospitals and communities. You’ll find these on our social media channels using the hashtags #nhsggc75 #nhsscot75 #nhs75

www.twitter.com/nhsggc

Facebook Posts

We proudly support Children's Health Scotland and celebrated the launch of the inspiring My Health, My Rights Children and Young People’s Charter at an event at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow.This Charter, crafted by children and young people living with health conditions in Scotland, follows the landmark moment when the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) became Scots Law in July 2024. Read more here: www.nhsggc.scot/meet-the-health-rights-defenders-and-the-team-bringing-their-charter-to-life/ See MoreSee Less
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We are looking to engage with the public, patients and service users around inpatient mental health provision, working towards an improved service for the future. Come and speak to us, and tell us your thoughts.Find out more here See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

On appointment, Non-Executive Board members are issued with an induction pack, containing information useful for new colleagues about NHSGGC’s governance structures, details on existing Board members and their biographies. The pack will also include further helpful information to assist our Non-Executive Board members to settle into their role.

All Board members undergo an induction programme, completing a series of introductory meetings with key personnel across the organisation.

They will also be assigned a ‘buddy’ from our existing Non-Executive Board member group who will offer support and guidance while bedding into their exciting new role within the organisation. NHS Scotland also support the induction of new Board Members NHS Scotland – Induction Approach – What Non-Executives can expect from Board Induction.

The personal development needs of individual Board Members is also supported by NHS Education Scotland Board Development | Turas. New Board Members are required to register on TURAS and should make full use of this resource.

The induction programme also requires Board Members to familiarise themselves with the key documents that explain who we are, what we do and how we work together to deliver our roles and responsibilities.

These documents are listed below.

Useful Resources for Board Members

Further Information for Board Members

Staff Engagement Session: Sustainability and Value Programme

As of 2023 the Financial Improvement Programme (FIP) was relaunched as the Sustainability and Value Programme.

Join Paul McKenna, Head of Sustainability and Value to learn more about the re-launch, ask any questions you have about financial sustainability and improvement and find out how you and your team can get involved in the programme.

This interactive session will last one hour.

Please use the MS Teams links below to register:

  • Check back here soon for links to our training and resources

Types of Sustainability and Value projects and benefits

Sustainability and Value provides tactical support and through the Project Management Office (PMO) oversees 100s of projects a year that range in scale and duration. Each Project can be accounted for on a Recurring and Non-Recurring basis.

Examples of various Projects:

  • Recurring savings from changes in drug prices.
  • Recurring savings from the change of consumables used in clinical procedures.
  • Non Recurring savings in the reduction of agency staff used in a department.
  • Recurring savings delivered through service redesign.
  • Cost avoidance through the use of alternative methods of service delivery to manage increased demands.

Waste Projects

The waste policy has been revised to reflect the commitments NHSGGC is making to meet legislative obligations and targets as a key part of our Scope 3 emissions towards Net Zero and Climate Change. This is a change of direction from the previous policy and focuses on the environmental impact of waste and our ambitions to reduce that impact.

NHS Scotland is committed to meeting the requirements of Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan through the Policy and Waste Management Action Plan as well as through short-term, medium-term and long-term projects to increase resource use efficiency and improve sustainability practices.

Our Future Waste Management Model

  • Prevent and Reduce – Through our sustainable procurement and clinical sustainability group we will work to prevent, reduce and reuse waste.
  • Reuse and Recycle – Implementation of waste segregation within clinical settings to increase segregation of non-contaminated waste into recycling stream and move away from single use items.
  • Recover / Dispose – Implement recycling facilities at source for general waste in public and staff non-clinical areas.

There have been various projects and initiatives involving waste minimisation in order to be more sustainable. Clinical waste segregation is a significant and on-going project, as well as improving recycling facilities across all GGC sites.

Dry-Mixed Recycling (DMR)

DMR is a broad term used to describe different types of clean recycling waste that can be reused, reformed or broken down into their core materials. They include: dry paper waste, office paper, newspaper and magazines, cereal boxes, card and cardboard boxes, clean, empty cans and tins, clean and dry drinking bottles, milk bottles, and others.  

The DMR system utilises existing metal general waste (black lid) bins and infrastructure. The use of existing bins negates the need for purchase of equipment, identification of additional space and will satisfy IPC protocols.

A new implementation plan was developed for the new financial year in order to implement, expand or refine existing systems on all acute sites across NHSGGC.

The new target for recyclates for FY 23 – 24 is 35% (currently 16%).

Theatre Segregation

Stobhill and the New Victoria Success

Stobhill Hospital and the New Victoria Hospital are our first sites to adopt waste segregation in clinical and non-clinical areas and our plan is to role this out on a site by site basis across the NHSGGC.

Segregation in the six theatres at Stobhill showed a 70% reduction in orange bag waste with a saving of 42 tonnes of waste volume, £17,000 cost avoidance and C02 saving of 17 tonnes.

Neptune 3

Neptune 3 is a closed-circuit waste management system that collects, transports, and disposes of surgical waste fluid helping protect staff from exposure whilst increasing efficiencies in the operating room.

There is a potentially significant waste and cost saving from eliminating Vac Sacs from the waste stream which weigh around 2kg each that are treated through the clinical waste stream.

Rover

Docking Station

Manifold

  • Time saved – minimum 3.6 minutes per procedure
  • Efficiency – within the operating room and waste supply chain
  • Cost saving – reduction in clinical waste and consumables
  • Staff Wellbeing – investment to the Healthcare Professional
  • Eco Sustainability – Reducing footprint of clinical waste
Mehvish Ashraf

Non-Executive Member

Biography

Mehvish Ashraf MRPharmS is a community pharmacist who brings a wealth of patient facing and management expertise to the Board. Having served for over a decade in some of the most deprived areas in and around Glasgow, she has a deep understanding of health inequalities. In particular, ethnic minority communities and supporting those with addictions.

Mehvish has worked at the Head Office of an independent chain of pharmacies spread across Scotland.

She also served as an Associate Member of Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Lanarkshire Committee and is a Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Ms Ashraf’s appointment is for four years, from 9th January 2023 to 8th January 2027.

Other information

Expenses claims

No expense claims have been declared.

Hospitality

No hospitality declared

Register of interest

Trustee, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Endowment Fund

< Back to Meet the Board

Below are links to various sustainability resources for staff.

Let’s make every NHS pound count

Small Change Still Matters! Your Ideas can contribute to real success and change within NHS GGC. From savings on postage to standardising medical equipment every idea has its merits, no idea is too small! So why not take a few minutes to yourself or with your colleagues and get your thinking caps on and tell us what you come up with! Remember don’t assume that someone has already thought it, every idea matters.

All you have to do is send in your idea using our online form below below which will go to our Financial Improvement Team for consideration.

Many thanks,
Jane Grant, Chief Executive, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Engage with the Sustainability and Value Programme

As we relaunch our previously successful Small Change Matters campaign, we’re once again looking to you, our staff, to tell us what changes you’ve made in your department to help make financial savings, large or small, or if you have any good ideas that we can consider rolling out across the organisation.

Please complete the form below and we’ll review your suggestions. We may be in touch for more info, so please include your contact details.

Visit our Sustainability and Value page for more information.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde identifies ten priority areas in which we will take action on to address the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

To play our part in tackling the climate crisis, NHS Scotland is aiming to become a net-zero health service by 2040 at the latest. We are part of an international coalition of over 50 countries to date who have committed to developing low-carbon health systems. We will take action in each of the priority areas below to achieve NHS Scotland’s 2040 target of net zero carbon and biodiversity net gain.

Active Travel and Transport

Active Travel

The emissions from transport and travel are significant in a large organisation such as NHSGCC, particularly due to the vastness of our operational activities and services.

NHSGGC are continuously encouraging sustainable travel by making staff and visitors aware of the various public transport links that are available to them.

There are a variety of public transport and active travel routes to our hospital sites and health centres (Shuttle Bus for staff).

The Travel Plan Office continue to promote sustainable and active travel and host events to provide information on public transport and active travel options, including Cycle to Work.

What we’re doing

  • Managing and developing NHSGGC Cycle to Work scheme
  • Reviewing, developing and implementing projects to improve cycling infrastructure e.g. secure bike storage, across our estates.
  • Created walking and cycling maps for our main acute sites, indicating links to National Cycle Routes and walking routes; Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children Walking and Cycling Guide.
  • Promoting annual season tickets for public transport operators to provide cost savings for staff. Using Public Transport – NHSGGC.

Transport

Due to the size of the geographical area covered by NHSGGC, some element of travel and transport will always be required. These are often providing a vital service, however there are a number of ways the associated emissions can be reduced.

NHSGGC are committed to adding to our electric/hydrogen fleet, adding additional electric vehicle charging points and minimising the impacts from our fleet operations.

Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone will be enforced from 1 June 2023. All vehicles will need to meet emission standards when entering city center zone.

What we’re doing

  • Over 100 electric fleet.
  • Three transport hubs established to reduce courier mileage by incorporating external deliveries into existing fleet runs.
  • Over 200 drivers trained on Fuel Good Driving – maximising fuel consumption and reducing engine idling.
  • 4 Star Eco Fleet rating.
  • Over 200 EV charging points across the board and ongoing projects to develop and install more.

EV charging

From 22nd April 2024, NHSGGC is implementing a fee for the use of its Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points of 45p/KWh.

NHSGGC have until this point incurred the cost of providing the use of EV charging equipment on its sites, however the cost of providing and maintaining such a service means that the implementation of a usage charge is a necessity to the board. The charges implemented by NHSGGC complies with its EV Charging Policy and are in line with other public sector bodies across Scotland.

To ensure the use of EV charging points on our sites is fair and equitable a maximum time limit of four hours is being applied to each session at which point drivers are required to move their vehicles. Failure to do so would incur an additional charge of £40.

Access to EV charging is through an app operated by EV charging provider Fuuse, which can be used to pay for EV charging sessions. 

For more information about the Fuuse app, click here.

For more information about the new arrangements for for EV charging, click here.

Greenspace and Biodiversity

We are committed to enhancing biodiversity and green spaces across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde estate.

Well-managed green and open spaces support and contribute to enhanced biodiversity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, active travel, and a reduction in the effects of air pollution, excessive noise, heat, and flooding. As well as the environmental benefits of greenspace, there is an increasing body of evidence linking access to high quality greenspace with enhanced physical and mental health and wellbeing. Spending time in greenspace has been shown to have both a preventative and restorative effect on health and wellbeing, and this effect is observed most strongly among those living in more deprived areas.

NHSGGC has a significant environmental footprint due to the nature and size of the organisation. As one of the largest public sector landowners in Scotland, this also presents a significant opportunity to enhance biodiversity and access to greenspace for staff, patients and members of the wider community. Additionally, much of the NHSGGC estate is located within and adjacent to some of Scotland’s most deprived areas and communities. Given the ‘equigenic’ effect of greenspace on health and wellbeing, delivery of greenspace and biodiversity improvements across the NHSGGC estate will directly contribute towards alleviating health and wellbeing inequalities, thus helping contribute to improved quality of life for all.

What we’re doing

  • Greenspace strategies have been developed for several acute sites, including QEUH, RAH and Leverndale.
  • Have accessed funding from Scottish Government, Green Exercise Partnership, Sustrans, NHSGGC endowments and estates to deliver landscape improvement projects.
  • Look to undertake GIS mapping of all of the land owned by NHSGGC, including its extent, quality, accessibility and biodiversity by 2025.
  • Make significant progress towards utilising our existing outdoor estate as a method of adaptation to the effects of climate change, including retrofitting green infrastructure to combat increased flooding, and passive cooling systems to combat increased incidences of high temperatures by 2030.
  • All future estates will reflect the NHS Sustainable Design and Construction Guide.
  • Developing and making use of our outdoor estate as places for health and wellbeing; for patients, staff, visitors, and the local community.
  • Developing sustainable management strategies for each of our acute sites to make the most of our existing assets by 2025.

Sites

NHSGGC Greenspace and Biodiversity Projects

Royal Alexandra Hospital – Pond and Beyond
Gartnavel

Leverndale
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Capital Planning

The emissions associated with the construction and operation of our buildings are significant and we have a responsibility to ensure these are reduced as far as reasonably possible.

NHSGGC is one of the largest public sector landowners in Scotland. The estate varies enormously from Victorian stone buildings to mid-century concrete framed and clad hospital towers. The challenge to achieve a net zero position from this baseline should not be underestimated. However we are committed to ensuring that our property and assets are optimised to be efficient and to be a benefit to the communities and patients they serve.

The design and construction of new buildings can easily align with modern low carbon techniques and practice. A greater challenge comes from the existing buildings, which represent a high amount of spent embodied carbon, so careful consideration must be made here.

What we’re doing

  • Site-specific net zero masterplans to be commissioned for each acute site, incorporating plans for green infrastructure, renewable heating systems, enhanced access for public transport and walking/cycling, maximising the use of existing facilities and identifying optimal siting where new-build is required.
  • Work to develop site strategies to optimise existing estate and improve functionality, accessibility and amenity.
  • Explore options for new buildings and major refurbishments to be carbon neutral in construction, and reduce as far as possible the emissions associated with their operation.
  • Explore the use of renewable heating systems and utilise this technology where appropriate.
  • Ensure whole-life considerations, including embodied carbon and eventual demolition/disposal are taken into account when selecting materials and building elements.
Environmental Management

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is committed to continual improvement in minimising the environmental impact of its operations.

We recognise the detrimental impacts our services can have on the natural environment. As a healthcare provider, we seek to minimise these impacts whilst delivering health co-benefits for staff, patients and our local community.

Our Environmental Management System assists the organisation in demonstrating that NHSGGC address and minimise environmental impacts alongside managing legal compliance.  It also assists us in monitoring and continuously improving our environmental performance.

The EMS is based broadly on the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 and is appropriate for the diverse nature of the NHS estate, the large number of sites and broad range of activities and environmental aspects relating to NHSGGC.

For more information, including the scope of the Environmental Management System, please contact: Sustainability.Team@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Energy

NHSGGC is committed to achieving best practice benchmark standards in energy efficiency for healthcare establishments while meeting UK and EU legislations in relation to energy and the environment.

As part of our environmental strategy, NHSGGC is committed to responsible energy management and will practice energy efficiency throughout all our premises, plant and equipment, wherever it is cost effective to do so.

Within our commitment to serving the local community in providing effective and efficient healthcare services, NHSGGC will provide and maintain an appropriate comfortable internal environment, in line with NHS guidelines, that minimises energy consumption and provides a synergy with our environmental and Sustainability targets for the NHS. This also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

By avoiding wasting energy we will also avoid unnecessary expenditure, help to prolong the useful life of fossil fuels and protect the wider environment by the amount of greenhouse and other potentially harmful gases released into the atmosphere.

What we’re doing

  • All EPC’s are in process of being updated to reflect new dynamic certificates, starting off with Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI).
  • 3 major Carbon Reduction Projects (QEUH WWHP, Stobhill & Leverndale ASHP) proposals are in place to take to Outline Business Case (OBC).
  • Reviewing various energy and renewable frameworks to widen range of technologies.
  • An ongoing annual spend to save programme of energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects NHSGGC eHealth Dept have agreed both a Digital Strategy and a Cloud Strategy which will result in Cloud Technologies being used, where possible, and any new Infrastructure which will be sited in Computer Rooms will have an element of Power Consumption reduction included within tenders.

For more information please contact: GGC.EnergyTeam@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Sustainable Procurement

NHSGCC are committed to making net zero a key consideration for all procurement activities and no longer purchase from suppliers that do not meet or exceed a commitment to be net zero.  

Sustainable Procurement requires NHS Scotland to work alongside suppliers to take into consideration the whole lifecycle, environmental, social and ethical impact of procured goods & services. The NHS purchases products from suppliers all over the world and an environmentally and socially responsible approach implements an opportunity to boost health and wellbeing throughout the UK and globally. Embedding sustainability at the heart of procurement decisions can reduce negative impacts on the local community and those around us, whilst bringing the organisation closer to our net zero goals. 

What we’re doing 

  • Invested in a Carbon Footprint Tool – allows NHSGGC to identify where we are being wasteful with carbon and taking action to reduce the waste and emissions.
  • Increase and improve the measuring and monitoring of associate carbon emissions from all goods and service providers.
  • Increase the scope and weight given to contracts and product selection that support and directly reduce associated carbon emissions.
  • To only purchase products or services from suppliers that are aligned with net-zero commitments.
  • Review and select only procurement frameworks that have committed to a net-zero target.
  • Change of pack size to National Uniforms to deliver a 50% plastic packaging reduction and cost cuts of waste disposal.
  • Commit to reducing our reliance on single-use equipment, investing in take-back schemes and reuse schemes where possible.

Sustainable Procurement Steering Group (SPSG) December Newsletter

Waste

NHSGGC is committed to taking an innovative approach to driving out waste, delivering year-on-year reductions in cost and volumes.

NHSGGC delivers healthcare services across a wide portfolio of settings, resulting in the production of a correspondingly broad range of wastes.

NHSGGC is responsible for managing the waste produced by its employees irrespective of whether the waste generated on a site owned or leased by the board. NHSGGC is obliged to comply with all regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to those related to The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (1974) and the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is responsible for adhering to the waste hierarchy as far as is reasonably practicable, enacting a waste minimisation strategy and implementing circular economy principles.

Waste Management Policy 2023

In the workplace, a large variety of wastes are produced; these can be classified broadly into the following six ‘core’ waste streams:

  1. Healthcare (including clinical) waste – waste produced as a direct result of healthcare activities which may pose a risk of infection and/or is medicinally contaminated.
  2. Other (non-healthcare) special wastes – waste with hazardous characteristics produced from support (non-healthcare) activities, such as paints, batteries, and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
  3. Source-segregated recyclates – glass, paper, card, plastics, metals, and other metals suitable for recycling.
  4. Construction waste – Minor Estates and capital projects works.
  5. Food waste – unwanted food from patients, staff, and visitors of the site.
  6. Residual waste – the fraction of waste that remains once all special waste, recyclates and food have been removed at source. This is typically described as ‘black bag’, ‘domestic’ or municipal waste.

For more information or any waste management queries, please contact ggc.wasteteam@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Posters

Guide to Clinical Waste Segregation

Guide to Mixed Recyclate


Watch Your Waste Campaign

Awareness

Awareness of the importance of the climate emergency and sustainability has never been greater but it can still be challenging to know how we can make a difference.

By engaging our staff to create a culture of sustainability, we can empower each and every one of our people to be part of the solution. It is envisaged that through work place behaviour change, our staff can take ownership at home too, adopting more sustainable lifestyles, assisting Glasgow and Scotland in achieving its climate change goals.  

Awareness Days

A calendar of events, featuring newsletters, information, facts and figures – this calendar will provide opportunities to communicate success and instigate change

Communications and Engagement

People underpin sustainable healthcare – we need the help of staff, partners and people in the community to ensure this agenda delivers positive and beneficial outcomes for all.

We can only achieve high levels of engagement within sustainability if the relevant information is communicated effectively and clearly.

Ambitions

We believe NHSGGC can be a leading role model within the public sector and a champion for sustainable development – encouraging and developing change and engagement in our stakeholders

By engaging with and harnessing the enthusiasm of the 1.2 million people we serve, and our 38,000 staff members we can deliver real and lasting change

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde aims to be a:

Sustainability Role Model

Showing leadership and minimising our impacts

Sustainability Educator

Inform our staff, patients, communities and stakeholders of sustainability

Sustainability Champion

Support policy measures and work with others to embed sustainability to the heart of NHSGGC


Communications Team

Through close collaboration with the organisation’s Communications Team, we aim to promote newsletters, surveys, and relevant information on a regular basis.

Comms Team: Assist Sustainability Team in distributing materials both internally and externally

Sustainability Team: Prepare engaging materials to be sent to Communications Team for distribution

Sustainability Governance Group: High-level governance, strategic direction and leadership


What we’re doing

  • Following NHSGGC’s Sustainable Communications Plan.
  • Identify works stream leads/champions in line with priority areas that will improve our sustainability and net zero performance.
  • Support staff to lead change at individual, team and departmental level aligned to the Board’s corporate sustainability objectives.
  • Empower staff to take advantage of sustainability initiatives which boost health and wellbeing;
  • Improve our service provisions, offering more sustainable alternatives where possible and reducing risk to service operations.
  • We will deliver engaging internal communications to create interest in the strategy amongst our colleagues as part of wider cultural change across the business, sharing good news stories and highlighting best practice.

Education

We must take our 40,000 staff on this journey with us, ensuring staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to ensure they can make changes in both their professional and personal lives.

  • Creation of a Sustainability e-learning package in 2023 with additional bespoke modules relevant to specific subject areas; you can now access our e-learning modules via LearnPro by searching course name GGC: 301 Sustainability.
  • Creation of downloadable learning packages including posters, information and other learning resources.
  • Identify works stream leads/champions in line with priority areas that will improve our sustainability and net zero performance.
  • Support staff to lead change at individual, team and departmental level aligned to the Board’s corporate sustainability objectives.
  • Empower staff to take advantage of sustainability initiatives which boost health and wellbeing.
  • Improve our service provisions, offering more sustainable alternatives where possible and reducing risk to service operations.
Community Wealth Building

NHSGGC recognises its status as an anchor organisation at the heart of the Glasgow City region.

Anchor organisations are large employers with a strong local presence in an area. They can exert sizable influence through their commissioning and purchasing of goods and services, through their workforce and employment capacity, and by creative use of their facilities and land assets. Positive use of these aspects can affect social, economic and environmental change. Community Wealth Building (CWB) is an alternative approach to traditional economic development, which seeks to develop resilient, inclusive local economies with improved local employment and a larger and more diverse local supply chain.

What we’re doing:

  • Site-specific net zero masterplans commissioned for each acute site as part of Moving Forward Together Implementation Strategy, incorporating plans for green infrastructure, renewable heating systems, enhanced access to public transport and walking/cycling, maximising the use of existing facilities and identifying optimal siting where new-build is required.
  • Clydebank Health Centre developed to connect into zero carbon district heating system using River Clyde as a heat source.
  • New integrated health, social care and wellbeing facility at Parkhead designed to achieve net-zero in operation and located at public transport fulcrum
  • Developing pathfinder projects to explore new ways to achieve better sustainability outcome in the wider capital programme. 

Our Role as a Holder of Property and Assets Case Studies

Clinical Sustainability

NHSGGC recognises that healthcare and the way we provide care can have a major impact on our communities and the environment. 

By changing how we plan and deliver services we can empower people to have more control over their health and deliver rapid and long-lasting change which is environmentally sustainable, increases our contribution to good health and reduces health inequalities. 

Our clinicians and staff are at the heart of NHS Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s climate emergency response and our efforts to become an environmentally and socially sustainable health service. 

What we’re doing:

  • Formation of a Clinical Sustainability Governance Group to oversee NHSGGC’s sustainable care agenda.
  • Clinical Sustainability Group meetings open to all healthcare staff; currently working on the Nitrous Oxide Project and National Green Theatre Project.
  • 2022 has seen the lowest levels of Orange Waste since 2012. This has been achieved through improved segregation practices and circular economy techniques, however there is still room for improvement.
  • Reduced desflurane usage – an anaesthetic gas with a global warming potential 3000 times that of CO2.
  • The carbon footprint of inhalers was considered during the recent review of the NHSGGC COPD and adult asthma inhaler device guides (IDGs). The IDGs now have a traffic light key which highlights if the inhaler has a very high, high or low carbon footprint (GGC Medicines: Sustainability: Reducing the environmental impact of inhalers).
  • Roll out of fluid suction system in QEUH theatres as first phase of wider roll out to replace VacSacs in high fluid theatres. This is a circular system that significantly reduces plastic consumption and disposal within the supply chain, as well as benefits to staff and patient environment in theatres.
  • Implement the actions outlined within NHS Scotland’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 (NHS Scotland climate emergency and sustainability strategy: 2022-2026 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

What Is Sustainability and Value

The aim of Sustainability and Value is to support the delivery of a comprehensive programme of schemes which identify efficiencies that have a financial benefit, enabling the Board to achieve and maintain financial balance through effective management, control, innovation, quality and best practice.

Sustainability and Value was launched in 2022 expanding, improving and replacing the Financial Improvement programme, which to add is still an integral and component part within Sustainability and Value assisting the Board in achieving and maintaining financial balance.

What Does Sustainability and Value Do?

Sustainability and Value provides tactical support and guidance to directorates and departments in identifying the potential for efficiency improvements and removing waste from our ways of working. The programme is based on a proven methodology, and is underpinned by a comprehensive governance process and a programme management office (PMO).

Contact the Sustainability and Value Team

Further Information and Resources

Other Areas of Work