Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, this week formally signed the policy statement which will empower an Environmental Management System to be set up and run across the whole organisation.
An environmental management system is a structured approach involving processes, guidance and tools which support an organisation to monitor, control and continuously improve environmental performance.
This is a key component of our commitment to tackle climate change and to becoming more environmentally sustainable.
Calum Campbell said; “I’m delighted to be signing this policy statement on behalf of NHS Lothian as a key part of our commitment to environmental sustainability. Through continuous improvement driven by our Environmental Management System, we will ensure that our activities across the organisation support our aim in providing an environmentally and socially sustainable health service.”
This system will align with international standards as well as being part NHS Scotland’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy.
The strategy states that all NHS Boards begin the process of implementing this to identify environmental risks, likelihood and scale of impacts, agree and prioritise measures to reduce harmful impacts on the environment.
Daniel Mill, Senior Project Manager for Sustainable and Technical Development will be leading on setting up the new Environmental Management System. Daniel said: “This is a significant step forward as this clear statement of vision and leadership is crucial to engagement of staff and services across the organisation and raising awareness of the many ways that our activities impact on the environment.”
Jane Hopton, NHS Lothian Sustainability Lead said, “Some services within NHS Lothian have operated environmental management systems in the past, but never at this scale. This commitment is across the whole organisation which is a welcome challenge and opportunity.
“We know that climate change and environmental damage can be harmful to health so it is important that as a health and public sector organisation we are making the most of the transparency and discipline that an effective Environmental Management System can bring.”
To read the Environmental Management Policy Statement and other news on sustainability go to the NHS Lothian website Sustainability – NHS Lothian | Our Organisation.
Pictured above:
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive NHS Lothian
Daniel Mill, Senior Project Manager Energy and Technical Sustainability
Chris Henderson, Energy and Environment Manager
Mukhtar Abdullah, Environmental Management System Co-Ordinator
Jane Hopton, NHS Lothian Sustainability Lead
