NHS could save £400m and reduce CO2 emissions, report finds

A report by the Sustainable Development Unit has recommended changes that could help NHS England save over £400 million and reduce its carbon output by one million tonne each year, by 2020.

The report entitled, Securing Healthy Returns, selected 35 areas and calculated their financial and environmental benefits. The areas included providing mental health services to people receiving physical health treatment in hospitals; encouraging staff to travel to work by bike or on foot; and encouraging the use of technology for communication.

The analysis continues from research in the Carter Review which outlined potential efficiencies in NHS hospitals. It found large savings could be made both financially and environmentally from proactively addressing issues like air quality and fuel poverty, which would improve people’s health, reduce inequalities and save the NHS money.

The Sustainable Development Unit worked with energy efficiency verification specialists EEVS and sustainability software vendor Trakeo to produce ‘Your Carbon Cost Benefit Curve’, an online tool which enables the user to scale the 35 interventions according to the organisation.

David Pencheon, director of the Sustainable Development Unit said: “We know that the NHS and health sector is facing its greatest financial challenge, and we need to seize every opportunity to realise savings and efficiencies. 
 
“But we also know that seeking financial savings without considering the long term social and environmental implications can be dangerously short sighted in terms of health protection and improvement. 
 
“This report and supporting resources help organisations to identify opportunities that can save money now and have a positive environmental effect – which will save money and improve health, now and in the future.  We don’t have to choose between saving money and protecting the environment – we can make decisions that will do both as well as improve people’s health.”