Influencing sustainability of local health and social care services

Is now the time for health & wellbeing in the Transition Movement (part 3/4)

I have a feeling out there in Transitionland, and in communities generally, that people feel that healthcare is too big a nut to crack. Particularly in England (and UK) where the NHS is seen either as a political football or as a huge behemoth of an organisation, people can feel impotent to ‘make a difference’. But this is just the same as climate change. However there are few things that are really on our side (compared to the Energy sector for example); a) health and social care is still delivered by people (not machines), b) the NHS is on our side (on paper at least), c) there are huge supply chains that run through our whole economy (and therefore through many communities).

a)      Healthcare and social care is people-based (and will be for the foreseeable future). NHS is the largest employer in England (although dwindling with privatisation). This means that every community contains a large proportion of health and social care workers. Inevitably some can be found within Transition Initiatives, or can be encouraged to join! Staff can be an important link of communication between the community and the surgery, clinic or hospital.

b)      Again I feel that many people see the NHS as a huge impenetrable institution. However NHS Trusts and GP practices are increasingly keen to listen to patients and the community. Try to avoid cynicism and send your views in, or as above, talk to staff. The SustainableDevelopment Unit for health and social care does have an influence on NHS organisations, but the board of the hospital is more likely to take action if they also feel pressure from the community, eg to recycle more. The new Sustainable Development Unit emphasises the importance of community and resilience, giving a common language for Transition Initiatives to address these issues.

c)       Procurement for the NHS is a huge opportunity. Recent guidelines recommend ‘sustainable’ procurement, and encourage hospitals to choose local suppliers to reduce transport. Again, food is an obvious example, but procurement covers all sectors and therefore must draw upon businesses in almost every community (I guess). If carbon footprint of a product is lower than the competition, it should give an advantage in the tendering process, and hence encourage sustainability in many local businesses. Could Transition Initiatives support their local business to win NHS tenders – possibly through REconomy type projects?