The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust marked the UK’s first ever NHS Sustainability Day on Wednesday 28 March.

The ‘day of action’, which ran from 11am-3pm, had interactive stands in between the two restaurants and in the main restaurant at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Staff, visitors and patients were able to make a pledge to do one thing to make a difference.

The types of pledges made included printing double-sided, in grayscale, swapping the car for the bike to get into work and walking up the stairs rather than using the lift.

As part of a nation-wide event, the Trust planted two trees to symbolise the start of its work with NHS Forest.

Laura Skinner, Sustainability Manager at RBH, said: “It was a really good day which was received well by all. Patients and visitors seemed surprised with the amount the Trust is doing to create a sustainable future, and felt inspired to do something in their own environments.

“The message we are trying to spread is that even the smallest contribution, whether that be recycling an old mobile or pledging to turn off lights when they aren’t being used, makes a huge difference to our carbon footprint.”

The restaurant served a locally-sourced lunch and provided information about the sustainable changes that have been put in place by the catering department, such as the use of biodegradable takeaway cartons, sandwich boxes and cutlery.