Welsh Ambulance Service awarded prestigious environmental management standard

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has been recognised for its commitment to reduce its environmental footprint and improve its performance.

The Trust has been awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Standard by British Standards Institution after a rigorous five-day inspection of its environmental governance system.

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems, which supports organisations in identifying, managing, monitoring and controlling environmental processes.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is currently the only ambulance service in the UK to hold this standard.
Richard Davies, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Capital and Estates, said: “To retain accreditation is a massive achievement.

“It’s a validation of the great work headed by the Estates team and especially Environment and Sustainability Manager Nicci Stephens and Environment and Sustainability Support Officer Sharon Jones

“A massive thanks are owed to the team who have supported and delivered on this, we are all extremely proud.”

The Trust introduced a catalogue of new initiatives in its bid to secure ISO 14001, which includes new plug-in hybrid rapid response cars to replace the older diesel-powered vehicles, 270 speed-limited non-emergency patient transport vehicles installed with solar panels to minimise the need for mains charging, continued the use of video conferencing to reduce travel time, emissions and cost, installed new renewable energy systems and reduced its reliance on fossil fuels by installing low carbon heating.

Leading the work has been Environment and Sustainability Manager Nicci Stephens, who said: “I am so pleased to say that after five days of auditing, the Welsh Ambulance Service has kept the ISO 14001 accreditation for 2023.

“The accreditation provides assurance to the Trust’s management and employees, as well as external stakeholders that the environmental impacts of the Trust are being measured and improved.

“The assessor noted that during their visit, the Trust demonstrated that the environmental management systems in place continue to support the strategic direction of the organisation and achieve objectives relating to improving environmental performance, which we are very proud of.

“In order to support the Welsh Government’s ambition of a net zero carbon public sector by 2030, we have developed a decarbonisation plan and are working towards the NHS Wales decarbonisation target reduction of 34%.”

The Trust was accredited following an audit which took place at a sample of stations and office buildings across Wales during May.

Notes for Editors

For more information call Beth Eales, Communications Officer at the Welsh Ambulance Service, on 07870383209 or email Beth.Eales@wales.nhs.uk