Vincent Leibrick

On this special occasion of the NHS’s 75th anniversary, DSSR proudly stands alongside the healthcare community in celebrating its achievements and embracing a sustainable future.

Looking to the future, DSSR is excited to continue playing a part in shaping its future by helping to deliver a ‘Net Zero’ NHS. By designing more efficient building services, we aim to help the NHS tackle the challenge of operational carbon through energy-efficient designs, the adoption of on-site renewables, and the transition to electricity-led systems.

By integrating sustainable design principles, innovative technologies, and collaborative partnerships, we strive to contribute to a greener and more resilient healthcare system for generations to come.

We recognise the importance of delivering a ‘Net Zero’ NHS, not only for the environmental benefits but also for the significant positive impact it can have on public health. By improving the energy efficiency of existing NHS buildings and incorporating on-site renewables, we have played a vital role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and minimising waste.

By reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we can improve air quality and mitigate the negative impact of climate change on public health. Cleaner air promotes respiratory health, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and enhances overall well-being. Furthermore, sustainable healthcare facilities provide a positive healing environment for patients and a healthier workplace for healthcare professionals.

One of our key approaches has been to facilitate the switch from natural gas to electricity-led systems, enabling numerous developments to align with the NHS Trust’s aspirations for a net zero carbon future. This commitment to sustainability remains at the forefront of our design approach, ensuring that our projects contribute to a greener and healthier NHS.

Sponsoring NHS Forest

DSSR is a proud sponsor of The NHS Forest, a charity which inspires and supports healthcare sites in transforming their green space for health, wellbeing and biodiversity. NHS Forest supports the creation of beautiful gardens for rest and recovery; woodland, hedgerows and meadows that create habitats for wildlife and social spaces for people; and growing space for fruit and vegetables.

Our most recent donation supported the planting of 500 trees, planted at Milnrow and Newhay Medical Centre in Rochdale. Pupils from three schools were involved in planting an orchard, hedgerows and woodland.

Click to read more about our work with NHS Forest

DSSR team in Manchester had a great time at our recent social event at Sixes Social Cricket

Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a great event! Congrats to Philip Lonsdale and Mudassir Khan for earning the top scores 🏆 🥇 💪 !!!

The NHS Forest is an initiative coordinated by the charity, the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. Established in 2009, the initiative aims to:
• improve the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and local communities through increasing access to green space on or near to NHS land
• spark projects that bring together professionals and volunteers to use new and existing woodland for art, food crops, reflective or exercise spaces and to encourage biodiversity
• highlight innovative ideas to encourage the use of green space for therapeutic purposes, including social prescribing.

In 2022, DSSR supported the NHS Forest by sponsoring 500 trees. The whole team is grateful for this contribution, and the trees were planted at Milnrow and Newhay Medical Centre in Rochdale. This new site has been designed to the highest environmental standards and the local community enjoyed a planting day for the NHS Forest trees despite rainy weather. Pupils from three schools were involved in planting an orchard, hedgerows and woodland.

The trees provided by the NHS Forest sponsorship scheme are whips – small specimens of one to two years of age, typically up to 80cm tall, depending on species. All trees are native British broadleaves, which enhance biodiversity and local wildlife. Recent plantings have included silver birch, hornbeam, hazel, beech, ash, wild cherry, English oak, whitebeam, rowan (mountain ash), and lime trees, all sourced from reputable wholesalers. The cost per tree includes coordinating the supply, delivery, planting, and where appropriate a biodegradable tree guard and stake.

The mix of species frequently included in planting schemes is influenced by local biological factors and local choice. The planting specification also varies between sites; larger scale woodland creation initiatives tend to favour a more intense coverage of smaller trees, while smaller schemes will use fewer, larger specimens. Trees are typically planted bare-rooted, which requires them to be planted between October and March when the trees are dormant and there is less risk of the roots drying out. This gives the trees the best chance of establishing and thriving.

This project is funded by the Trees Call to Action Fund. The fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and is being delivered by the Heritage Fund.

DSSR Building Consultants are dedicated to promoting, improving and supporting the mental health of our staff. In conjunction with this commitment to our colleagues, we are delighted to be able to help and support our local charities and community.

In light of this, our DSSR Harrogate office is in the fortunate position to be able to donate £600 to ‘Mind in Harrogate District’, an independent charity founded in 1973, run by local people for local people, affiliated with National Mind and the Mind federation.

Even though 1 in 4 people have mental health problems, most of us don’t get the help we need. ‘Mind in Harrogate District’ offers a number of support services to anyone struggling with their mental health.