The Climate Action Team at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust is celebrating being a finalist and recognised in the Environmental Sustainability Award at the HSJ (Health Service Journal) Awards.

The team, which was established in January 2020, includes 25 Sherwood members of staff from various roles and backgrounds, supporting climate action and sustainability in the trust – which operates King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton; Mansfield Community; and Newark hospitals – and community.

The team has coordinated multiple campaigns and initiatives during the group’s infancy, challenging the trust’s Board with climate targets that will support the NHS’s goal of being net-zero by 2040.

Dr Helena Clements, clinical climate lead and consultant paediatrician,  said: “To be recognised in the annual HSJ Awards, alongside other NHS Trusts and services all working towards net-zero and a brighter future, is fantastic and I feel very proud of the group and what we have achieved together.

“Since forming the group in January 2020, we’ve had enormous backing and support from our senior leaders and trust Board, the largest being the creation and commitment to our Green Plan, which recognises the link between climate and health and outlines some substantial targets that will support the NHS’s net-zero commitment.”

Kimberley Cannon, sustainability service lead since July 2021, has supported many climate initiatives at Sherwood as part of her role.

She said: “Colleagues at Sherwood have been hugely supportive of the impactful changes that aid sustainability and patient care, such as our reusable sharps bins that have saved more than 77 tonnes of carbon and 26 tonnes of plastic since implementation. We also had huge success in March with our Hope Orchard campaign, where we invited NHS trusts, schools, and communities to plant carbon-offsetting trees in their green spaces. To date, Hope Orchard contains more than 90 trees across the country, and we’re excited to continue with ‘phase 2’ at the end of this month.”

Paul Robinson, chief executive, said: “I am so proud of our Climate Action Team, not only for the localised changes they have implemented and supported, but how their reach across our community has really supported our healthier communities strategy and our NHS net-zero target.”