We are an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We are responsible for providing platforms and delivering services which support the priorities of the NHS, Government and local health economies and in so doing we manage around £43 billion of NHS spend annually.
By providing these services nationally and at scale, and by digitising services and utilising leading-edge technology we deliver great taxpayer value, providing huge savings for the NHS which can then be reinvested in frontline care.
Our purpose, strategic goals and values (read Our strategy for 2023 to 2026 (PDF: 9MB) for more details) complement and support our commitment to achieving high standards of health and safety, maximising our positive impact on the environment and driving resource efficiency – with one of our 5 strategic goals being specifically focussed on ‘Our People’ and another on ‘Environmental Sustainability’.
We also recognise that health and safety, and environmental sustainability, require specific focus, with targets and objectives set to address key areas linked to our operations and the social value we can bring. During 2022/23 these were outlined in our Health and Safety Strategy and Action Plan, and Environment Strategy and Environment Action Plan.
Our journey so far
Each year we continue to integrate our approach, ensuring that the material issues and needs of our customers, clients and others inform what we deliver and how we deliver it. The following shows some of the key points on our Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) journey since the formation of the NHSBSA in 2006:
The NHSBSA was created in 2006 by bringing together a number of previously separate NHS organisations.
2009
- First Sustainable Development Action Plan published
- Environmental Management System ISO 14001 certified across full business
2010
-
Sustainable development e-learning course launched for all staff
2011
- Carbon Trust Standard achieved
- Greening Government Commitments incorporated into strategy
- Electric pool car introduced at HQ
2012
- Solar Panels introduced at our Fleetwood site, producing renewable electricity
- Biodiversity actions introduced to our green spaces
2013
- Defibrillators and trained staff introduced across estate
- Video conferencing integrated across our estate
2014
- Integrated Safety, Health and Environment Team created
- Learning Management System launched with role-specific Safety, Health and Environment e-learning modules
- Carbon emissions from our buildings halved (on 2009/10 baseline)
2015
- Mandatory training on environment introduced across the NHSBSA
- Bee hives established to support biodiversity
2016
- 90% of waste diverted from landfill
- Recertified to Carbon Trust Standard
2017
- 95% of waste diverted from landfill
- Transitioned our Environmental Management System to ISO 14001:2015
2018
- Refreshed Safety, Health and Environment e-learning module launched
- Significant reduction of single use plastics across our estate
- Replaced our gas heating system with an air source heat pump and solar water solar water system at Bridge House
- Public Sector Paperless Awards – Efficiency Savings Project Winner
2019
- COVID-19 policies and procedures rolled out to ensure the health and wellbeing of our people, with over 90% of staff enabled to safely undertake working from home and maintain business performance
- Launch of NHSBSA National Environment Network
- 1.4 million plastic Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) cards eliminated
- Electronic Prescription Service processed over 70% of prescriptions electronically
- NHS Sustainability Award winner
- Signed the NHS Plastic Free Pledge
- Public Sector Paperless Awards winner
2020
- COVID-19 policies and procedures maintained and evolved aligned to national guidance and best practice
- New Environment Committee established
- Declared climate emergency and set Net Zero target
- Electronic Prescription Service processed over 89% of prescriptions electronically
- Health Service Journal Award finalist for Environmental Sustainability category
- Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Corporate Ethics Mark achieved
2021
- COVID-19 policies and procedures maintained and evolved aligned to national guidance and best practice
- Online DSE/ Homeworking Assessment App launched across business
- 2 million employees receiving electronic payslips through Electronic Staff Records (ESR)
- Digital exemption certificates have eliminated 2 million plastic cards
- Climate Action Toolkit launched to provided accessible information to colleagues on climate action
- First supply chain sustainable procurement engagement event held
2022
- Nominated for Smarter Working award for Greenfinch to Net-Zero
- Over 400 solar panels across the estate and 32 EV charging points (allowed for 1380 plants)