Step 1 - Sustainable Supplier Survey

Dear Newcastle Hospitals’ Supplier,

Thank you for your interest in our 5 step Sustainable Supplier Framework. We are inviting all suppliers, regardless of size or sector, to participate. Steps 3-5 require an annual update, this survey (step 1), only needs to be completed once (unless you want to revisit to update your answers in subsequent years).

As the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a Climate Emergency, we have set an ambitious target to reach Net Zero for our Carbon Footprint by 2030 and for our Carbon Footprint Plus by 2040. This footprint plus includes emissions from our supply chain, which are estimated to account for more than 70% of our total carbon footprint. This is an extension to the NHS England’s plan to reach Net Zero by 2045. The same plan includes the commitment that by 2030 the NHS will not procure from any supplier that does not have its own Net Zero target.

In addition to NHS policy, there are many other drivers for working with supply chain members that are committed to fighting climate change. The UK Government’s Social Value Model and associated Procurement Policy Notes (PPN 06/20 and 06/21) require organisations to outline action to fight climate change and published carbon reduction plans. Even though a range of procurement thresholds, timescales and exceptions apply, it is clear that the drivers for sustainable procurement are increasing.

At Newcastle Hospitals, we have developed an award winning five-step process to proactively engage and support all suppliers, from the smallest to largest. This programme is aligned to NHSEI Evergreen Supplier Framework and the NHSEI Net Zero Supplier Roadmap.

We want to work with our suppliers to reduce the impact of our purchased goods and services. We want to collaborate with and support supply chain members across a wide spectrum of sizes and sectors, whilst recognising the needs of micro, small and medium sized enterprises. We want to engage with suppliers that are decarbonising their own organisations and are asking suppliers to provide their carbon footprint data to us. We would like to stress that it does not matter what stage you are at on your low carbon journey, even if you haven’t started yet, we would welcome your engagement, honest answers and opinions.

Over 850 suppliers have already engaged so far. Whether you have engaged already, or you are new to the process, we would love to hear from you.

Thank you for participating in this important endeavour and we look forward to working with you on this ambitious initiative to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2040.

You can read Newcastle Hospital’s Climate Emergency Strategy at this link: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/content/uploads/2021/04/x228180_nuth_p1_nm.pdf

You can read more about our Sustainable Supplier 5 step framework at this link: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/about/sustainable-healthcare/sustainable-suppliers/.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss further, please contact us at nuth.sustainablesuppliers@nhs.net

Please continue to access the survey.

Kind regards,
The Sustainability and Procurement Teams at Newcastle Hospitals

Dan Shelley, FCIPS Chartered CCMAP
Procurement & Supply Chain Director
dan.shelley@nhs.net

James Dixon, CEnv FIEMA FRSA
Associate Director of Sustainability
james.dixon6@nhs.net