New research has highlighted how councils could use food purchasing and advertising policies to help tackle climate change. Food and drink production accounts for more than one-third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Councils can help reduce this impact by choosing more environmentally sustainable food for schools, leisure centres and other council-run sites. They can also influence the types of food advertised on property they own or manage. Researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria and Oxford University found that only a small number of English councils have introduced climate-friendly food advertising and purchasing policies, despite most having declared a climate emergency. The study calls for […]
A sustainability initiative from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) has received regional recognition at the NHS Excellence Awards. The reusable theatre hats project was introduced to reduce the use of disposable surgical caps in operating theatres, helping to cut waste, lower costs and support the NHS commitment to a greener future. The initiative demonstrates how simple, practical changes can make a significant difference to environmental sustainability while engaging staff in positive action. The project has been praised for its innovative approach and highlights how frontline teams can lead improvements that benefit both healthcare services and the environment. For organisations looking to reduce their environmental impact, this award-winning […]
Dietitians at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) are helping to create a greener NHS through an innovative initiative that is reducing single-use plastics for families who rely on home enteral feeding. Marking Greener Allied Health Professionals Week earlier this year, we heard about how the project has brought together adult and paediatric dietitians, patients, carers and medical nutrition company Nutricia to reduce waste while maintaining safe and effective nutritional support. A key part of the initiative has been replacing single-use feeding containers with reusable Sterifeed bottles that can be used for up to a month. With support from dietitians, families have successfully made the switch, leading to […]
Across North East and North Cumbria, there is growing recognition that food waste and food insecurity are closely linked challenges that require coordinated, system-wide approaches. Recent research and improvement work across the region highlights how combining insight with practical action can help address both. Understanding the role of social supermarkets Research supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria shows how social supermarkets are helping communities access affordable food while reducing surplus food waste. These models provide a more dignified, choice-based alternative to emergency food aid, enabling people to select their own food while reducing stigma. However, the research also highlights an important limitation: […]
Applications are now open for Cohort 6 North Cumbria School of Generalism, delivered by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS FT (NCIC). The School of Generalism is hosted by NCIC on behalf of NHS England North East, and is open to staff working across healthcare organisations in North Cumbria, aiming to equip learners with common concepts, understanding and language to help improve patient care. The Trust will again be delivering an innovative program giving the opportunity for up to 30 multi-professional, multi-disciplinary, clinical and administrative/management staff to learn alongside each other. They will gain a common language and shared skills to enable them to better understand, navigate and deliver the increasingly […]
Delivering high‑quality care while reducing environmental impact is a growing priority across health and care systems. The Sustainability Opportunity Model brings together real examples of how sustainability‑led change can improve patient care, deliver cashable savings and reduce carbon emissions at the same time. This resource shares a set of slides developed Peter Lillie (NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB Sustainability Lead), presenting practical case studies from across the region. The slides are designed to support system leaders, executive teams and improvement leads to explore how sustainability initiatives can be delivered at pace, with clear benefits for services and populations. What the Sustainability Opportunity Model shows The slides highlight how […]
Primary care faces increasing financial, workforce and environmental pressures. Making practical changes to how practices use energy, equipment and resources can reduce costs, lower carbon emissions and support more sustainable ways of working – without compromising patient care. This resource shares a set of slides developed by Dr David Cummins, GP at Northumbria Primary Care (Lintonville) and Bridge Medical, and Clinical Lead for Planned Care and Sustainability at NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. The slides bring together practical examples and evidence‑based actions that GP practices and PCNs can consider when looking to future‑proof their services. Why sustainability matters A typical GP practice can spend significant […]
Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to our health and contributes to up to 38,000 deaths a year in the UK, placing the most vulnerable in our communities at the most risk. As outlined in the NHS 10 Year Plan, cleaning up our air is a key mechanism to improve the health of our communities and move from sickness to prevention. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals and Northumbria Healthcare attended the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Air Pollution Event in November 2025 to showcase the project they have been collaborating on. This project involved a review of sites at both trusts against the Global Action Plan ‘Clean Air Hospitals Framework’ […]
Teams at The James Cook University Hospital have launched a successful pilot with Ambu to recycle single‑use nasoendoscopes. New recycling bins introduced in September 2025 now capture precious metals and recycle remaining plastics, cutting landfill waste and supporting the NHS Green Plan’s goal of reaching net‑zero by 2040. Clinical procurement, ENT outpatients, ED, ward 35 and the Serco portering team all played key roles, demonstrating how clinical-supplier partnerships can drive sustainable change. Read the full article: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/news/leading-the-nhs-the-sustainable-way/
Brought to you by Boost in collaboration with North Cumbria Knowledge and Library Service, this LUNCH & LEARN session on 30 January 2026 saw saw Dr Quynh Nguyen (GP and NIHR RSS Fellow, Northumbria Primary Care) deliver a presentation on ‘Re-useable tourniquets for sustainable phlebotomy’. In this session, Dr Nguyen shared local organisations’ experiences with the Daisy Grip reusable tourniquet. This innovative product is transforming clinical practice by significantly reducing single-use plastic waste and delivering real cost savings. We heard first-hand how switching to Daisy Grip has helped teams streamline procurement, cut down on unnecessary waste, and support sustainability goals. Dr Nguyen discussed practical implementation, patient and staff feedback, and […]
