Ongoing efforts to increase the amount of green space and access to nature on NHS sites are continuing following the announcement that RSK Group has signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.

This support will involve an annual financial donation and strategic pro-bono work to support the NHS and other health systems to reach their net zero and wider sustainability goals.

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare charity is one of the world’s-foremost institutions for sustainable healthcare in research and practice, and since it was founded in 2008 it has worked to reduce healthcare’s resource footprint through a number of programmes that are guided by the principles of sustainable clinical practice.

Nature and the environment have important roles to play in healthcare and we are working hard in this space to help bring better outcomes to patients

For example, its Green Space for Health programme engages healthcare professionals, patients, and the wider community to understand the connections between health and the environment, in particular through its flagship NHS Forest project, which sees healthcare sites expand and enhance green space on, or near, their land.

A fresh opportunity

The sponsorship by RSK, a leading integrated environmental, engineering and technical services business, is a fresh opportunity to leverage RSK’s expertise and experience, particularly around nature-based solutions, to provide advice and consultancy to guide and support the centre’s strategic work.

In recent years, RSK has worked on a number of healthcare projects across the UK, from planning, design, and construction to post-construction, and it has been involved in several flagship schemes, including completing environmental, ecological, and archaeological surveys to help secure planning permission for the North Manchester General Hospital redevelopment.

And the values of both RSK and CSH are aligned: working with and supporting the NHS to improve sustainability and achieve its net-zero targets.

Alan Ryder, founder and chief executive of RSK, said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to support the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.

Making space

“Nature and the environment have important roles to play in healthcare and we are working hard in this space to help bring better outcomes to patients.

“Through this partnership, I hope that the CSH can deliver more of its important work and utilise our experts to optimise its strategic objectives.”

We will be looking to make the most of this opportunity to help NHS healthcare sites in improving the social and ecological value of their green space for the benefit of patients, staff, and local residents

Carey Newson, director of CSH’s Green Space for Health programme, adds: “We are delighted to have received support from RSK for our Green Space for Health programme.

“This will contribute to growing the NHS Forest by planting trees on, or near, NHS land and supporting our Nature Recovery Ranger project.

“We are also excited about the pro-bono consultancy that RSK will be providing, and will be looking to make the most of this opportunity to help NHS healthcare sites in improving the social and ecological value of their green space for the benefit of patients, staff, and local residents.”