Case studies
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust: Employment
SNAPSHOT
University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust (UHB) has developed a range of programmes to help it engage with the local community and tackle long-term unemployment – a key determinant of health. With 6,900 employees and a budget of over £400 million, the Trust has recognised the potential of acting as a Good Corporate Citizen – reducing inequalities and improving health and wellbeing in its local area, while at the same time, reducing its carbon footprint.
HIGHLIGHTS
- trained over 600 people, with 65% of participants gaining a job or moving on to further education
- Building Health has helped nearly 300 people into jobs and nearly 900 people have progressed into further training or learning
Costs
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Community Engagement
In 2006, UHB formed a partnership with Harborne Hill School, a school in the local area with high unemployment. The trust has supported the development of HealthTec, an educational facility which allows students to develop an appreciation of the full range of employment opportunities the health sector provides. HealthTec gives students access to rooms that have been fully kitted out to reflect the interior of an ambulance, a ward, an operating theatre and a GP surgery. Students can use the resource to experience a unique combination of academic and vocational learning and think about possible careers in the NHS.
Employment and Skills
In 2002, UHB developed the ACTIVATE programme, funded by the Learning Skills Council and the European Social Fund. The programme provides three weeks direct training, followed by a three-week work placement, for unemployed people from disadvantaged areas within Birmingham. The programme focuses on providing entry level jobs and training, and has been a great success. Working with partner trusts in the NHS, ACTIVATE has so far trained over 600 people, with 65% of participants gaining a job or moving on to further education.
UHB has also supported Building Health, a cross-sector partnership of key stakeholders including Job Centre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and Birmingham City Council. The programme provides advice and support on employment opportunities in healthcare and construction arising from new hospital development. So far Building Health has helped nearly 300 people into jobs and nearly 900 people have progressed into further training or learning.
New Building
The New Queen Elizabeth opened its doors June 2010, which provided UHB with a great opportunity to build sustainability in from the start:
- The hospital will meet the Department of Health energy efficiency target of 35-55GJ/100m3, at 54.9 GJ/100m3
- Wards were built in an elliptical shape around inner courtyards to maximise natural light throughout
- The ventilation system was designed to minimise use of air conditioning
- Lighting strategy includes installation of movement detectors in low-use areas
- Re-use of demolition materials and excavated materials was optimised in balanced earthworks and landscaping
- The Learning Hub building was made of 80% sustainable materials and features innovative natural chimneys, a green roof planted with moss, and solar panels
- The hospital project team were required to use whole-life costing methods
- The new hospital’s grounds incorporate green spaces including one of the largest plazas in Birmingham.
Transport
The new hospital development has a planning condition target for a 10% move away from cars to public transport, and UHB is working with the Passenger Transport Authority, Birmingham City Council and bus operators to improve access to the new hospital by public transport and bicycle.
In depth research is taking place into hydrogen fuel at the University of Birmingham and the new hospital may be a demonstrator site for a hydrogen fuelled bus. The potential impact of the quality of transport links on access to health services and health inequalities is being investigated in relation to a New Deal for Communities (NDC) area within Birmingham which has a particularly high level of health appointment non-attendance. The Trust are working with Community Transport to run a scheme, funded by Centro and NDC, which will provide a minibus to the peripheral housing estate to take residents to and from health appointments, jobs and training at the Trust.
Procurement
An independent survey showed that UHB were spending 30% of its non-pay budget on firms based in the West Midlands. The Trust is aiming to increase this percentage.
Facilities Management
The Trust has a policy covering energy consumption, water usage, waste disposal and minimisation. Waste management is a particular strength of the Trust, and a three year waste strategy has been produced including measurable targets for increasing recovery and recycling, and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. The environmental impact of waste is taken seriously and this is a significant factor considered when awarding contracts for waste services.