Environmental, Social and Governance at Bromley Healthcare
Bromley Healthcare is committed to sustainability and the wider plans set out by the government, NHS and South East London Integrated Care Board.
We have set the goal of achieving net zero by 2045 and are currently creating an Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy to focus our plans in these key areas.
In the meantime Bromley Healthcare has implemented several social value and sustainability initiatives as well as creating an ambitious Carbon Reduction Plan. Please find a link to our Carbon Reduction Plan here and read more about some of the exciting projects we have already completed:
- Optimising Community Staff Travel: We have implemented intelligent software solutions to strategically plan community staff visits, resulting in a significant reduction in unnecessary travel and associated emissions. This also enhances efficiency and allows for more patient-facing time.
- Transitioning to a Low-Emission Fleet: We have upgraded our vehicle fleet to include hybrid and fully electric vehicles, demonstrably lowering our carbon footprint and contributing to improved air quality in the communities we serve.
- Empowering Staff to Adopt Sustainable Transport: Through attractive salary sacrifice schemes, we are incentivising our staff to choose ultra low-emission vehicles, passing on cost savings and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.
- Fostering Active Travel Through Expert Guidance: We have partnered with SUSTrans, a leading sustainable transport consultancy, to deliver workshops for our colleagues. These sessions helped colleagues identify and address barriers and enablers to active travel, encouraging walking and cycling to and from work for improved health and reduced emissions.
- Securing Renewable Energy Sources: We have commenced the transition of our electricity supply to renewable sources, directly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing our environmental impact.
- Embedding a Culture of Resource Efficiency: We have established comprehensive recycling infrastructure across the majority of our sites, promoting responsible waste management and resource conservation.
- Integrating Social Value and Environmental Considerations in Procurement: Our procurement processes now include a mandatory 10% scoring criterion for social value and environmental factors, ensuring that sustainability is a core consideration in all purchasing decisions.
- Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability Through Contractual Obligations: We have incorporated robust sustainability clauses into all new contracts, embedding environmental responsibility within our partnerships and supply chains.
- Mitigating Flood Risk and Enhancing Environmental Resilience: For all new estates developments, we mandate the inclusion of Sustainable Drainage Systems and comprehensive assessment/mitigation of flood risk, safeguarding our premises and minimizing potential disruption.
- Championing Sustainable Travel: We have appointed a dedicated Cycle to Work Lead to champion and facilitate active travel initiatives within the organisation.
- Actively Promoting Walking and Cycling: We are actively promoting walking and cycling through initiatives such as our annual walking challenge and an enhanced Cycle to Work scheme, which now benefits from a 200% increase in available support funding. This encourages healthier lifestyles and reduces reliance on personal vehicles.
- Exploring Innovative Recycling Solutions: We are currently exploring the feasibility of a walking aid recycling scheme to minimise waste and promote resource circularity.
- Eliminating Single-Use Plastics from Our Supply Chain: We have successfully removed single-use plastics from our NHS Supply Chain ordering system, significantly reducing plastic waste within our operations.
- Optimising Estate Configuration for Sustainability: Our estate and services are strategically configured to minimise travel time and associated emissions for staff and service users.
- Expanding Access Through Virtual Consultations: We have successfully increased the percentage of appropriate virtual consultations, reducing the need for travel and enhancing patient convenience and access.
This comprehensive approach demonstrates our commitment to embedding sustainability across all aspects of our operations, aligning with national NHS targets and contributing to a healthier future for our community.