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If you are a member of DCHS staff, log-in to see additional information about sustainability training on ESR or our lease car, cycle-to-work, Liftshare and Warp-It reuse schemes.

About sustainability at DCHS

Most people understand what sustainability is but find it difficult to define. Here is a simple definition:

“Sustainability is about meeting our needs today without compromising the ability of others to meet their needs tomorrow”

Sustainability is about using our resources sensibly and striking the right balance between ‘Economic’, ‘Social’ and ‘Environmental’ considerations. Therefore, our sustainability strategy incorporates both social and environmental goals. We also have a goal which highlights our need to adapt services and infrastructure so we can cope with the expected changes in our future weather. The diagram below outlines our sustainability strategy.

Our sustainability strategy focuses on three goals:

  • Reduce Carbon Emissions to meet the 2040 and 2045 NHS net-zero targets and improve local air quality.
  • Use Social Value to measure impact and identify actions to improve health, wellbeing and prosperity in our local communities.
  • Adapt to Climate Change to ensure our people, services and infrastructure can continue to work effectively as the climate changes.

To meet these goals our strategic objectives are to:

  • Have a structure which embeds the management of sustainability within business-as-usual.
  • Incorporate environmental sustainability and social value into board paper templates, business case criteria and decision-making frameworks.
  • Ensure staff job descriptions include appropriate sustainability responsibilities and that staff undertake sustainability training appropriate to their role.
  • Identify SMART* sustainability targets.
  • Maintain a sustainability plan which outlines realistic actions to meet the SMART targets and provides direction over a 5-year time period.
  • Incorporate sustainability actions, based on the sustainability plan, within our annual planning process, and monitor progress through the normal DCHS governance processes.

*SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound.

Our Board approved our latest Sustainability Plan in April 2024. This plan details the focus required up to 2030 to help ensure we become more sustainable. We have already made significant advances and this plan demonstrates our continued commitment to make sustainability central to our decision making into the future.

With the support of our staff, patients, visitors, communities and other stakeholders we really can achieve long-lasting changes that will benefit everyone.

You can find a copy of our Sustainability Plan 2024-2030 by clicking here.

Using public transport can help reduce your carbon emissions from commuting or business travel and can also reduce carbon emissions for visitors and service users coming to our sites. Find out about bus fares, tickets and passes within Derbyshire at Fares, tickets and passes - Derbyshire County Council.

Also, the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme allows eligible patients to claim a refund for reasonable travel costs providing they meet the criteria. It covers a refund for the cheapest suitable mode of transport, which in most cases will be public transport.  Information about this scheme can be found here.

Click on the appropriate site below to find out which bus companies operate in the area:

  1. Commute by bike or walk to work if you’re able
  2. Car share or take public transport whenever possible
  3. Use our Warp-It system for reusing any unwanted equipment or other items
  4. Use a non-plastic reusable water bottle instead of buying water and swear off plastic water bottles for good
  5. Pack a lunch
  6. Turn down the heating in the office
  7. Don’t print documents unless absolutely necessary
  8. Use the telephone or conference calls instead of arranging face-to-face meetings
  9. Try to dry your hands with just one paper towel
  10. Take a walk at lunchtime instead of sitting at your desk
  11. Turn off electrical equipment at the wall at night
  1. Eat less meat (or none at all) – perhaps one vegetarian meal a week to start with
  2. Buy secondhand clothing instead of new and have a tailor perfect what you find
  3. Learn to compost
  4. Switch to rechargeable batteries and dispose of old batteries properly
  5. Pick up funny-looking or mis-shapen produce at the grocery store
  6. Only run a full dishwasher or load of laundry
  7. Take a walk every day
  8. Switch from disposable razors to a chic, reusable safety razor
  9. Eat more seasonal, local fruits and vegetables
  10. Support local business by shopping in town rather than online
  11. Don’t turn on the lights for as long as possible
  12. Gift experiences more often than you gift things
  13. Donate or sell unused items in good condition
  14. Collect rainwater to water your garden and houseplants
  15. Host a clothes swap with friends

The following five principles are a useful way to think about taking action to improve sustainability.  If you take action against each of these you will increase your chance of making a real impact.

  • Prevention - avoid using resources in the first place
  • Empowerment – help individuals and communities to help themselves
  • Lean systems – make sure you are working in the most efficient way using as few resources as possible
  • Use of low carbon alternatives - e.g. swapping from single-use to multi use items
  • Improve operational resource use – e.g. reducing utility and fuel use