NHS England has unveiled a new photography exhibition, “Care for the future: delivering the world’s first net zero health service,” at COP26 – the United Nations Conference of the Parties in Glasgow.
The photography exhibition, captured by portrait photographer, Justin Lambert, features NHS staff – from pharmacists to surgeons, mental health professionals to health visitors – who have pioneered greener healthcare initiatives for the benefit of their patients and the communities they serve.
Dr Mesbahuddin Syeed, a GP at Foleshill Health Centre, in Coventry features in this exhibition because he is based at the first Passivhaus health care building in the UK. He said; “We are proud to have the UK’s greenest health building in our community. It provides a calm and reassuring environment for our patients.”
Visitors to the NHS “Care for the future: delivering the world’s first net zero health service” photography exhibition at COP26, including political leaders and their delegations from around the world, will discover how greener healthcare is beginning to transform every area of healthcare, from the first climate-friendly birth through to cutting the delivery time of vital medical supplies by boat, and reducing harmful gases within one of the greenest operating theatres in the country.
Dr Sarah Raistrick, local GP and Chair of NHS Coventry and Warwickshire CCG, said “We are delighted that this fantastic new addition to our local community is featured in a COP exhibition. Provision of care in sustainable surroundings is something we want to see replicated across the NHS”.
Dr Peter O’Brien, Chair of Coventry and Rugby GP Alliance said, “Committing to and supporting a greener future will benefit our patients, their children and future generations so we are extremely proud to be delivering primary care services to our local community from Foleshill Health Centre”.
The NHS was invited by the hosts of COP26 to display this exhibition.
“This exhibition celebrates the incredible work of NHS staff who continue to lead the world in the fight against climate change, creating a healthier planet for our patients.” said Dr Nick Watts the NHS Chief Sustainability Officer.
The exhibition will be on display in the Blue Zone of the COP26 venue in Glasgow, for the duration of the conference [31 October – 12 November], before it will move on to Newcastle NHS Hospital Trust in December, and on to other NHS Trusts across the country over the course of 2022.
Find out more: What is COP26 and why does it matter
About Foleshill Health Centre – the UKs greenest health care building
Foleshill Health Centre is the first healthcare building in the UK to receive Passivhaus certification, a rigorous global standard for energy-efficient design. Foleshill not only leads the way for carbon emissions reduction in this type of building but demonstrates its potential for repetition and upscaling across the future health estate.
The building is highly insulated with sustainable innovations including solar panels, triple glazed windows, LED lighting, and a heat recovery system. It is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, with very low energy costs. It has electric car charging points and bike storage.
Foleshill Health Centre is a £3.3m, 619m² building for up to 10,000 patients in inner city Coventry. The new GP surgery has five consulting rooms and two treatment rooms. The GP team began seeing patients in August 2021.
The primary care building has an EPC A rating (12) close to net zero CO2.and is BREEAM Excellent (March 2023).
“Foleshill Health Centre is already contributing to the NHS net zero target. We are proud to work with our partners on the 1st UK health building built to meet Passivhaus standards.” said Malcolm Twite, Executive Director Property Performance at CHP.
The health centre is a partnership between CHP and NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the new tenants Foleshill Surgery, a GP practice, part of Coventry and Rugby GP Alliance.
Watch the Foleshill Health Centre timelapse video
Read: Foleshill Case study
News: Foleshill Health Centre
NHS net zero – one year on
In October 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health system to commit to reaching carbon net zero, in response to the profound and growing threat to health posed by climate change.
Air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to health in the UK, accounting for 1 in 20 deaths. Reducing harmful carbon emissions will reduce the number of cases of cancer, heart disease and asthma. Tackling climate change will also prevent the growing health impacts of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, and the disruption of care they bring. Last year, UK heatwaves claimed more than 2,500 lives.
“One year on from becoming the first health service in the world to commit to being net zero, the NHS is still on track to reduce its admissions – saving enough carbon to fuel 1.7m flights from London to New York – at the same time as dealing with its most immediate threat in Covid-19.” said Dr Nick Watts, NHS Chief Sustainability Officer.
As one of the world’s largest employers, contributing almost 5% of UK carbon emissions, the NHS can play a vital role in supporting the UK Government’s climate change targets.
The full exhibition and stories can be accessed digitally on the Greener NHS website or search “Greener NHS”.
To find out more about this exhibition, please contact: greener.nhs@nhs.net
Healthier Planet Healthier People – find out how CHP is supporting health care for a Greener NHS (31 October 2021)
1 November 2021
NHS Carbon Footprint
Foleshill Health Centre contributes to the NHS Carbon Footprint aim. The health estate makes up 4-5% of England’s carbon footprint.
- The NHS Carbon Footprint (emissions NHS controls directly), will be net zero by 2040, with the ambition to reach an 80% reduction from 2028-2032
- The NHS Carbon Footprint Plus (emissions NHS can influence), will be net zero by 2045, with the ambition to reach an 80% reduction from 2036-2045.
Read more about the #GreenerNHS www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs
