Your Voice Matters – NHS Lothian Charity Supports the first Biodiversity Action Plan for a Health Board in Scotland

In a significant development for protecting wildlife across the NHS estate, NHS Lothian Charity is supporting NHS Lothian to create a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). This 10-year plan outlines a roadmap for NHS Lothian and its partners to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. We are actively seeking public feedback on the plan and explore improvement opportunities our sites for local wildlife.

The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) will go beyond simply meeting legal requirements. It’s a multi-faceted plan that will empower NHS Lothian to:

Fulfill its moral responsibility for biodiversity conservation by setting clear and achievable actions.
Empower staff with practical guidelines to implement environmentally-friendly practices in their daily work.
Foster collaboration with communities through open communication channels.

With a vision of achieving a “nature positive” status by 2030 and complete biodiversity restoration across its estate by 2045, NHS Lothian is committed to creating a thriving natural environment that fosters healthy communities. The BAP translates goals into action by outlining achievable steps for biodiversity conservation. It will include detailed action plans for specific types of greenspaces within the NHS Lothian estate. These plans will address the unique threats faced by each habitat while adhering to relevant policies and legislation.

Ian Mackenzie, Green Health Programme Manager at NHS Lothian Charity, said:

Creating the BAP could be a game changer for NHS Lothian, and I have been proud to support this process. We believe this plan sets a strong precedent for environmental responsibility within the healthcare sector, and are thrilled to support NHS Lothian in achieving its ambitious goals for a healthier planet and healthier communities.”

As part of the process NHS Lothian gathered public feedback on the plan and explored improvement opportunities through a short online survey. The survey asked for opinions on the overall vision, the appropriateness of central aims, the effectiveness of action plans in addressing key issues, and suggestions for additions or removals of specific actions.

With this groundbreaking plan, NHS Lothian is setting a strong example for other healthcare institutions, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility and the wellbeing of both patients and the planet.