1 week Ago
This initiative, backed by the Dorset General Practice Alliance, aligns with the NHS's goal to become the world's first carbon net-zero healthcare system by 2040. The Dorset Green Guide, launched last October, provides surgeries with simple, cost-effective ways to lower their carbon footprint, including practical building upgrades and staff-led eco-initiatives. Stephen Middleton, managing partner at Shore Medical Group Practice, said: "We were already taking steps to become more sustainable, but we are now making it a real priority for our practice and staff.
"The changes we are planning are simple and affordable, such as switching to LED lighting, improving insulation and sealing window gaps." Shore Medical has partnered with Ridgewater Energy to boost energy efficiency across its sites. Dr Simone Yule, GP in north Dorset and deputy chair of Dorset General Practice Alliance, said: "It’s great to see practices across Dorset taking action.
"The goal is to support all local surgeries to join the movement and help create a cleaner, healthier future. "Small steps make a big impact and we hope even more surgeries will get involved." The Adam Practice, serving communities in Upton, Hamworthy and Poole, initiated a new phase of action following an energy audit by Green Wing Energy Solutions.
Actions include switching to LED lights with motion sensors, adjusting air conditioning settings to save energy, reviewing equipment's life expectancy and replacing with efficient models, planning installation of solar panels and heat pumps and engaging staff and patients with recycling initiatives. Fiona Witt, estates and facilities manager at The Adam Practice, said: "Sustainability is now embedded in our everyday operations. "Not only are we helping the environment, but we're also making financial savings.
" The World Health Organization has declared climate change a global health emergency, while Public Health England identifies air pollution as the biggest environmental health threat in the UK, contributing to up to 36,000 deaths a year. By tackling emissions and energy use, Dorset's general practice surgeries are playing an important role in the future health of communities and the planet. Some practices are looking for volunteers to help with their green community projects, such as The Cranborne Practice, which is developing a community garden at its Lake Road Surgery site.
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