Interpreting the ESG acronym: health and care sector spotlight

The latest report in our ESG Ignite series, Interpreting the ESG acronym has recently been published and includes commentary from different sectors, including from sustainability leads in the health and care sector.

Jill Mason, head of health and care, comments

“E and S and G runs through every element of the health and care sector. At its core is the “S” – the day-to-day care for patients, residents and service users. The sector is under so much pressure with many challenges such as Covid, waiting lists, inflation, recruitment and retention, new legislation, regulation – the list goes on. With the immediate everyday demands of the care of patients and residents it can be a challenge for leaders to focus on long-term strategy. However, the benefit of engaging with communities, developing inclusive staff policies, and taking a sustainable approach to reducing waste and emissions cannot be understated. It’s a focus for investors. It’s a focus for NHS England (Greener NHS). It’s a focus for the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (Net Zero Pledge). As the Social Care Sustainability Alliance have said, short term head winds must not deflect organisations; it is not a choice between economy and ecology or between sustainability and profitability.”

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the report, including:

• Simon Gould – Investment Manager, Impact Healthcare REIT plc
• Ciaron Hoye – Chief Information Officer, NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board
• Trevor Mose – Head of Sustainable Development, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust