NHS spends thousands on climate change handbook

The NHS has spent thousands of pounds on a booklet that tells nurses to put pot plants in patients' rooms to counter climate change.

Published: 8:30AM BST 29 Aug 2009
It also tells staff to consider going vegetarian, walk or cycle to work and discuss climate change with colleagues.
The little green handbook has been distributed to thousands of NHS managers at a cost of £8,000.

However at a time when the NHS is facing criticism for neglecting patients, critics questioned whether the cost was a good use of taxpayers' money.
The 56-page handbook, Sustaining a Healthy Future – Taking Action on Climate Change, was funded and put together by the NHS Confederation and the NHS Sustainable Development Unit and charitable organisation, the Faculty of Publlic Health.
Some 3,500 copies, printed on recycled paper, has been distributed to NHS trusts around the country.
The NHS produces more than 18 million tonnes of CO2 every year, more than some large cities.
The handbook recommends a number of ways to reduce the carbon footprint. For example more flexible working hours, bus timetables in the staff room to encourage more people to use public transport. Teleconferencing, car sharing and cycle racks to reduce the amount of travel by car.
Pot plants on wards are suggested, as is more locally produced and vegetarian food in hospital meals. Patients are also encouraged to lower their carbon footprint and improve health by walking and cycling more and eating more locally produced food.
But Mike Penning, health spokesman for the Tories, questioned the use of taxpayers' money when the NHS is facing criticism for patient care.
A recent report by the Patients Association found that one million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain.
"At a time when funds are particularly precious, it is absolutely vital that every penny of taxpayers' money gets to the front line in the NHS," he said. "It is appalling that money is being wasted in this way when it could be used for patient care."
However Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, President of the FPH, said the handbook would help to save money by cutting energy costs as well as improving the health of staff and patients.
"The NHS is ideally placed to promote health and wellbeing by leading the battle against climate change. Cutting carbon saves money for health care and also helps save the planet's poorest families from a bleak future of droughts, flooding, food insecurity and conflict," he said.