Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has received £20,000 through Nottingham City Council’s Workplace Travel Service, part-funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), to enable its nurses to travel more sustainably.
The funding has provided six pool e-bikes for community nursing teams, helping the NHS towards its net-zero goals and allowing healthcare workers to visit patients without traffic delays. The grant also covered the cost of two EV chargers at Highbury Hospital for fleet use, along with essential safety equipment.
Mayor Claire Ward highlighted the scheme's role in encouraging greener travel options across the region, stating, “It’s brilliant to see Nottingham businesses and organisations making use of grants... to help their staff travel more sustainably.”
Councillor Patience Ifediora, Nottingham City Council executive member for regional development, growth and transport, praised the initiative, comparing it to the television series 'Call The Midwife' and emphasising the benefits for the environment, road network, and public health.
Becky Sutton, Nottinghamshire Healthcare chief operating officer, noted the NHS's commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2020 and expressed gratitude for the council's support in developing a greener healthcare system.
The Workplace Travel Service offers grants of up to £25,000 for organisations to implement sustainable travel improvements, such as cycle shelters and EV charging points. Private businesses receive 75 per cent of net costs, while public, voluntary-sector, and charity groups can receive 100 per cent funding.
