Health and Sustainable Development Network Newsletter October 2008

1.       Saving Carbon: Improving Health – A Draft Carbon Reduction Strategy for the NHS in England http://www.sdu.nhs.uk

Thanks to all of you who put in a response. Although the closing date was 30^th September the website of the Sustainable Development Unit suggests that they are still able to accept responses.  Email  Jayne Howley to find out or go to:http://www.sdu.nhs.uk/page.php?area_id=3

 

2.       Our improved website http://www.healthandsustainability.net

We have made a number of changes to our website, in particular clarifying our purpose as a network that provides the opportunity for members to support each other.

We have introduced a new section of ‘Members’ Stories’ and would welcome short contributions from you.  We have found personal story-telling to be very empowering.

3.      Network event in January 2009

Some of you will remember the Speaker Training Workshop we held in March in partnership with COIN, the Climate Outreach and Information Network, which was a very successful day (there is a report on our website in the ‘resources’ section).  We are in the early stages of planning another network event in early 2009, and would welcome your thoughts and ideas on what you would find most valuable – please email either of us by the end of October at the latest.  We are considering working with COIN again, as we found their approach refreshing, but would like your views.

4.       Revised version of the Faculty guide Sustaining a Healthy Future

The Faculty of Public Health is working in partnership with the NHS Sustainable Development Unit and the NHS Confederation to produce a revised version of the successful guide, Sustaining a Health Future: Taking Action on Climate Change.  The revision will take account of the latest evidence on the acceleration and severity of climate change – and the wider environmental crisis, give greater emphasis to the health benefits of taking action, summarise the new NHS carbon footprint commissioned by the Sustainable Development Unit, highlight the importance of Board-level action, and give some information on adaptation.  It is planned to publish it in early 2009, to support the final version of the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy.

5.       The UK Public Health Association – Public Health Workforce Development Partnership

The UKPHA, funded by the Department of Health, has launched a Public Health Workforce Development Partnership for climate change.  They have appointed Sir Muir Gray and Dr. Frances Mortimer (from the Campaign for Greener Healthcare) to take the work forward.  The Steering Group is chaired by Dr Jo Nurse from the Department of Health.  A launch event later this autumn will lead to a regional roll-out in the new year.  We shall keep you informed about this important new initiative.

6.      London congestion charge western extension – Sustrans response

Sustrans has prepared a submission to Boris Johnson to keep the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge in London.  They are asking other organisations to support their views on keeping the congestion charge.  Full details of the consultation can be found at: http://wwwtfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharging/westernextension/

7.      Cycling demonstration towns and city in Scotland and England

 Cycling England has provided funding for England’s first Cycling City and eleven new Cycling Towns.  The funding of the new towns together with the existing six demonstration towns will total almost £100m, and will attempt to transform them into areas where cycling becomes a genuine choice for 2.5 million people.  The towns and city are:

Aylesbury , Blackpool , Brighton , Bristol , Cambridge , Chester , Colchester , Darlington , Derby , Exeter , Lancaster , Leighton-Linslade , Shrewsbury , Southend , Southport & Ainslade , Stoke-on-Trent , Woking , York

Cycling Scotland has launched a Community Cycling Innovation Fund to help communities groups set up and evolve projects to improve life in their local area.

The aim of the Community Cycling Innovation Fund is to increase the wellbeing of communities across Scotland, enabling more people to have more opportunities to cycle and use cycles to achieve local outcomes. Cycling Scotland’s immediate aim is to provide grants for a small number of schemes that demonstrate innovative ways of using cycling and will serve as examples of good practice that can be followed by future projects and can be shared across the whole sector. Applications close on 28th November.

8.      South East Transport and Health report

SEPHO has published a report on transport and health It draws on data from a wide range of sources to demonstrate the extent to which transport affects many aspects of health. Lots of relevance to the carbon reduction strategies.

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Don’t forget to send us your news and views – this is your newsletter!  And in particular give us your ideas for the next network event and send us your stories of living more sustainably.

Best wishes Alison and Jenny