Working in partnership

Two members of staff in clinical uniform in hospital corridor

In 2014, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) developed Care Without Carbon (CWC), with the aim of ensuring that we can continue to deliver high quality patient care in the context of climate change.

Since then we've started partnering with NHS organisations locally and further afield, with CWC now leading the way in the delivery of sustainable healthcare across the south-east.

Working together in this way has enabled us to develop a team of sustainable healthcare specialists - from experts in energy and carbon to staff engagement and circular economy.

We're proud of our work. It's a privilege to share expertise with our local healthcare partners, and to learn from others as we progress towards a more sustainable healthcare system.

Working together as NHS organisations, we can:

Share learning and specialist expertise – and avoid duplication
Deliver joint projects that bring impact and efficiencies of scale
Use our influence to effect greater change
Show strength and leadership in the sector by setting joint commitments - and delivering on them
Communicate as one voice on sustainability to our patient community

Through partnership working, we're able to drive the sustainability agenda more effectively across the health and care system. Together to Zero.

“I am delighted that we are pursuing a system-wide approach to sustainability. It means we can share best practice and collaborate with our partners to create a more sustainable health and care system. It is in everyone's interest that we are able to deliver high quality care in a way that does not diminish the quality of our environment – not only does it save money, it can also improve our health and wellbeing.”

Siobhan Melia, Chief Executive
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust