Funding opportunities
Free support to get your practice to net zero
All GP practices in Lancashire (exc. Blackpool) have the opportunity to join the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB ‘Destination Net Zero’ programme to ensure CQC compliance regarding environmental sustainability, save money and support staff and patient wellbeing. Sign up for this support and the outcome for each practice will be:
- A bespoke carbon reduction plan
- Calculation of the carbon footprint for your practice (optional)
- Support to identify funding/finance options for energy saving initiatives eg solar panels.
This opportunity is fully endorsed by the ICB. Similar offers available nationally cost at least £3000 per practice. The offer comes from The Chamber of Commerce and is fully funded by councils within the Lancashire area (we are working to find similar in South Cumbria). Information gathered is completely confidential, however, the ICB will use any themes identified across practices to identify where additional support is required.
To join, simply send an email with a name and contact number (ideally a direct line to whoever will be driving this in your practice) to Stephen s.sykes@chamberelancs.co.uk and info@chamberlowcarbon.co.uk. You also need to complete the below registration form.
Stephen or one of his team will be in touch to arrange a time that is convenient to visit your practice. This visit will take approximately two hours, during which time your premises will be reviewed to enable production of the carbon reduction plan. At this stage you will be given the option to provide additional information eg electricity bills etc to enable the production of a carbon footprint.
Digital Journey Planner
Producing a green plan will help to ensure your practice’s compliance with this new CQC requirement.
The net zero module on Redmoor Health’s Digital Journey Planner can help you do just that. The action planning functionality of the modules is only available to users with an enhanced or foundation plus licence.
To encourage uptake of this new module, enhanced access will be given to all Lancashire and South Cumbria practices for FREE until the end of March. If at the end of March you choose not to subscribe to the enhanced version you will be able to export your carbon reduction (green plan) into Excel.
If you are not already signed up, you need to create a FREE Digital Journey Planner account, which can be created at Digital Journey Planner
Blackpool practices net zero opportunity
Tailored fully funded support is available for all GP Practices in Blackpool to help reduce carbon and save money.
Blackpool Council’s Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy has recently helped one Blackpool GP practice reduce their energy consumption by 77%, saving 38% on their energy bills and reduced their carbon footprint by 72% .
Take your GP practice to the next net zero level:
- Book a fully-funded energy audit or initial chat here or call 01253 478660
- Sustainability specialists Megan Tucker and Caitlin Sanderson will conduct an energy audit and provide implementable actions
- Receive a personalised Decarbonisation Action Plan for your GP
- Get ongoing support
Register now for fully funded trees for your healthcare site
Last year, the NHS Forest helped over 140 NHS sites to plant thousands of trees to improve people’s health and boost biodiversity.
This year they are offering three different tree planting schemes:
- tree bundles – best for small to medium healthcare sites, includes a variety of bundles from 10 trees upwards
- woodland creation scheme – best for bigger healthcare sites, please also use this link if you are applying for a Tiny Healthy Forest.
- orchard scheme – best for healthcare sites looking for fruit trees
Funding to support active travel within practices
Funding of up to £5,000 to support active travel within practices is available for the second year.
Please find below the application form along with terms and conditions. Last year a number of practices successfully applied for this funding for electric bikes or to improve the cycling infrastructure within their practice. See case studies here.
Please note any funding decision is final, subject to remaining funding being available and only those scoring highest will be successful. If you are going to submit an application, you must read the terms and conditions, complete the form fully as part-completed forms won’t be considered and ensure you include quotes.
Electric vehicle infrastructure grant for staff and fleets
The grant provides small businesses (that includes GP practices) money off the cost of installing electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints and supporting infrastructure for their staff and fleet vehicles.
Green space opportunity for practices in Property Services buildings
NHS Property Services has completed 100 social prescribing sites and is now looking to create a pipeline of projects ready for next year. Its aim is to develop unused outdoor and indoor space within medium to very high areas of deprivation into spaces where community groups and charities can run social prescribing type activities for people in the local community.
If you have a green space that could be transformed into a community garden or be used for green social prescribing, please get in touch.
Alternatively, if you are in an NHS Property Services building and have void or vacant rooms that could potentially be developed into a Social Prescribing service (1-to-1 room, community café/kitchen or group activity room) please also get in touch.
Email Rachael-Ann Taylor at: Rachael-ann.taylor@property.nhs.uk
Funding and grants for carbon net zero
The following link will take you to a page containing live funding opportunities for projects that support the Greener NHS agenda: