CUH Sustainability

22/04/2026

💚 Greener AHP Week 2026 | Right Bread, Right Place: Cutting Waste in Occupational Therapy Patient Assessment Kitchens

In 2023, our Occupational Therapy team spotted a simple but persistent issue: bread waste in assessment kitchens. Central deliveries and short use‑by dates meant an average of 3.75 loaves were thrown away every week - along with time and money.

The solution? Two labelled, reusable containers - and a smarter process.

Colleagues now collect bread directly from the ward their patient is based on, taking only what they need. This aligned perfectly with existing workflows, as staff already visit the ward to meet patients.

The process was shared through department bulletins and built into housekeeping training for new starters—and three years on, it’s still working 👇

✅ Bread waste reduced to zero
✅ Reusable containers embedded as standard practice
✅ No added complexity or time burden for staff

Since 2023:
🍞 600 loaves of bread saved
💷 £800 in cost avoidance, based on previous annual spend

For CUH, this shows how staff‑led, practical changes, designed around real workflows, can deliver lasting environmental and financial benefits. It’s also an approach that’s easily replicable across other services - one simple improvement at a time 💚

🔗 More case study details on Connect, under Greener AHP Week.

21/04/2026

📣 Sustainability research survey 📣

We’re sharing an opportunity to take part in an NHS‑approved research survey led by Tajiyah Aljasser, a PhD researcher at Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia (UEA).

The study explores how sustainability is implemented and led in NHS hospitals, with a focus on the role of management, financial approaches, innovation, and staff and professional engagement in delivering sustainability initiatives. The findings aim to generate practical insights to help strengthen sustainability practice across healthcare settings.

🕒 15–20 mins | anonymous | no patient data
👥 For staff in managerial, leadership or decision‑making roles (including sustainability, estates, clinical leadership, finance, AHP leads).
🔗 Survey link: https://nbsuea.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_72vbwZp6WtNz7Qa

Please take part if relevant, or pass on to colleagues. Thanks for supporting NHS sustainability research 💚

21/04/2026

💚 Greener AHP Week 2026 | New CUH Radiology research reveals a significant, cost-effective opportunity for energy savings in mammography

Our Breast Unit radiologists have published new research in ‘European Radiology’ exploring the energy footprint of mammography - and the results are not only a research first, but incredibly powerful.

✨ Mammography uses far less energy than CT or MRI
🌙 Most energy is used when machines are left on overnight
🔌 Powering down unused units could cut energy use by up to 50%
⚡ One unit saved 17% energy while delivering more exams

Scaled across the NHS, simple changes like switching machines off could deliver major carbon and cost savings - supporting Net Zero without impacting patient care.

A brilliant contribution from members of our Green Champions Community, helping grow the field of sustainable breast imaging 💚

🔗 Full paper and study details on Connect, under 'NHS Greener AHP Week'.

20/04/2026

💚 Greener AHP Week 2026 | Moulding Corporate Responsibility into Business as Usual in Occupational Therapy

In 2025, our Occupational Therapy (OT) team asked an important question:
How can we reduce waste and carbon impact in splinting - without compromising patient care?

Thermoplastics used in hand splints are often labelled single‑patient‑use, but they’re not single‑use. These low‑temperature plastics can be safely reheated and remoulded multiple times as a patient’s needs change. By maximising reuse, the team reduced material waste, procurement demand and carbon impact - while continuing to deliver excellent clinical outcomes.

After extensive research, testing and perseverance, the service went further by switching to a more sustainable thermoplastic supplier, embedding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into practice - shifting responsibility for reuse and end‑of‑life back to the manufacturer, not the NHS.

What changed 👇
♻️ Splints reused safely for the same patient
💷 30% lower material costs (without compromising quality)
🔁 Supplier take‑back and recycling scheme
⚙️ Old splints remoulded into traction weights by the manufacturer
✅ £1,000+ in cost avoidance achieved

Those remade traction weights are now used in twice‑weekly hand therapy group sessions run by Roseanna - closing the loop between patient care, reuse and recovery.

This case study shows how sustainability can move beyond individual behaviour change and into corporate responsibility, where procurement decisions, product design and end‑of‑life solutions are addressed collaboratively with suppliers. It demonstrates that circular economy and EPR principles can be embedded into routine clinical practice, delivering real benefits for patients, NHS budgets and the planet.

👏 Huge congratulations to the OT team for their innovation, persistence and leadership — showing that greener healthcare really can become business as usual.

🔗 More case study details on Connect, under Greener AHP Week.

20/04/2026

🌱 It’s Greener AHP Week across NHS England! 🌱

This week, we’re celebrating the vital role hospital‑based Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) play in delivering high‑quality care while reducing environmental impact. At CUH, many of our AHPs are also some of our most active Green Champions, leading practical change across wards, theatres, imaging, rehab spaces, diagnostics, etc.

💚 We want to hear from you about the greener changes happening in your teams.
📣 Throughout the week, we’ll also be highlighting CUH AHP‑led improvements helping us meet our Net Zero targets while improving patient care.

We’re kicking things off with this short Greener AHP animation, showing the difference AHPs can make every day:
▶️

A short animation demonstrating the connection between work to reduce climate change and health inequalities, aimed at (and produced with) Allied Health Prof...

16/04/2026

🚲 Thinking about cycling to work but don’t have a bike?

We’ve got a great low cost, local, and sustainable option 💚

When abandoned bikes are collected from around the CUH site, they’re given a second life through OWLs, a brilliant local initiative within the Papworth Trust— and one we’re really proud to work with.

OWLs provides work and training opportunities for people aged 16+ with autism, other forms of neurodiversity, and mild to moderate learning disabilities. The bikes they receive are carefully repaired and then sold at affordable prices to the public across Cambridge.

✨ Why this matters
• You can pick up a cheaper second hand bike to help you get into cycling
• You’re supporting a local charity and inclusive employment
• You’re helping reduce waste and cut carbon from transport

If you’re looking for a bike — or thinking about making the switch to cycling — please consider buying second hand and supporting this fantastic cause.

Good for people. Good for the planet. Good for getting to work 🚴‍♀️🌍

13/04/2026

From day one at CUH, our people are ready to make a difference 🌱

It was fantastic to meet new starters this morning and see such enthusiasm for learning how individual actions – and working together – can help deliver real carbon reduction across the Trust.

💚 Join our Green Champions Community and be part of a network driving change that matters now, and for the future.

👉 Click here: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3AOI39rniewMoqiyLuz5QmMZx9dL3516e1qLKk8GqvpEg1%40thread.tacv2/Main%20Community%20Page%20?groupId=3ca96fd9-6745-484b-905e-24c6d187f4b8&tenantId=37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3 or search 'Think Green' on Connect.

09/04/2026

🚗 Cut costs. Cut carbon. Share the journey.

Did you know CUH staff can car share (or even walk together!) using KINTO Join?

By joining the CUH KINTO Join community, you can:
✅ Save money on your commute
✅ Reduce parking pressure on site
✅ Cut your carbon footprint
✅ Travel more safely with colleagues

What is KINTO Join?
KINTO Join is a simple, app‑based car‑sharing platform (owned by Toyota) used across the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Through the app you can:
- Offer or join a lift with fellow CUH staff
- Book journeys instantly (a bit like a taxi app)
- Message other users and get real‑time journey updates

🚶 Not driving? KINTO Join also works for walking groups
Perfect for darker mornings and evenings — you can start or join a walking journey to places like the Park & Ride sites, or invite others to walk with you.

📲 How to join
Open this link on your mobile phone or scan the QR code below:
https://app.kinto-join.co.uk/
Important: Please sign up using your nhs.net email address for instant approval.

07/04/2026

🧤 Glove Purchasing Update – March

This March, CUH purchased 1.44 million pairs of single‑use gloves - an increase from 1.1 million in February. While this rise is disappointing, we know that reducing glove use is achievable, because we’ve successfully done it many times before.

Please remember to remind your colleagues that gloves are not required for all patient activities. It is not clinically appropriate to wear gloves when:
📈 Checking blood pressure or temperature
💊 Dispensing medication
🍽️ Handling or collecting meal trays and drinks
🤝 Touching a patient
🍼 Assisting with oral nutrition
🦽 Moving a patient, chair, trolley or bed
📞 Using phones or computers

Performing hand hygiene before and after these activities is more effective -protecting you, our patients, and the planet.

We will continue working closely with IPCT to share monthly glove‑purchasing data and what it means for waste, carbon and cost across the Trust.

📘 For full guidance on the Trust’s glove campaign, visit Connect:
https://www.cuhconnect.nhs.uk/.../infection.../hand-hygiene/

02/04/2026

🔌 Remember to Power Down Before the Long Weekend

With a 4‑day weekend ahead, please help us save energy and Trust funds by switching off before you leave:
🖥️ PCs
💡 Lights
❄️ Air conditioning units

Please ensure everything is fully switched off at the end of your shift, especially ahead of the long weekend. Leaving equipment on over extended shutdown periods wastes valuable Trust funds and can also prevent essential PC updates—meaning slower, less efficient systems when we return.

Every one of us plays a part in reducing unnecessary energy use. If you manage a team, please ensure this is clearly communicated and followed.

ℹ️ Note: BCA PCs are exempt. If you’re unsure whether an exception applies in your area, please check with your manager.

01/04/2026

🚗 Need a car for work… without using your own?

At CUH, over 200 colleagues are already using the Enterprise Car Club to travel for business — and it’s making work journeys easier, cheaper, and more sustainable.

✅ No personal car needed
✅ No mileage claims
✅ 24/7 access to modern vehicles
✅ Growing electric vehicle fleet
✅ Book online, drive when you need it

From community visits to off‑site meetings, the car club gives staff flexible, reliable access to cars — while helping CUH cut costs, reduce grey‑fleet mileage, and lower our carbon footprint.

💬 “It’s convenient, reliable, and fits perfectly with our sustainability ambitions.”

By sharing vehicles instead of reimbursing personal car use, we’re improving air quality, supporting NHS Net Zero goals, and making work travel fairer for colleagues who don’t own a car.

👉 If you travel for work and haven’t signed up yet, now’s the time:
Register via the Access Team and make your next work journey a greener one.

31/03/2026

Repair Café success at CUH! ☕🔧

Following the success of our previous Repair Cafés, we ran another café last week - and once again, it was brilliant to see staff coming together to repair, recharge and reflect.

On the day: 18 personal items came through the doors
🛠 14 items were repaired on the spot
🔄 4 items were repairable but needed extra parts
♻ 2 items were directed to recycling

From sewing machines and jackets to a vacuum cleaner, toastie maker and even a suitcase handle - these repairs diverted an estimated 43kg of waste from landfill and prevented around 234kg of CO₂e emissions by repairing rather than replacing 🌍

Alongside the repairs, we shared free coffee and cupcakes to help staff take a breather, and invited colleagues to reflect on climate‑related crisis scenarios. These reflections will help shape CUH’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Plan, currently in development.

A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer repairers and everyone who popped along 💚