Communication Plan Appendix D Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Communications Plan Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Contents Introduction Aims Audiences Mechanisms Measurement Actions & Key Messages
Introduction The NHS has developed its carbon in response to the need to take action on climate change and reduce its carbon footprint. This means that NHS organisations at all levels need to have their own Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Strategy and consider every aspect of its business from energy and carbon management, buying of food and travel and transport to its overall water usage and waste removal. The Trust has a responsibility to improve the way in which it interacts with its environment and the Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Strategy sets out actions to improve design of buildings, consider the carbon consequences of procurement decisions, encourage prudent use of natural resources, consider waste management and support partnership working with other local businesses and organisations. Staff will also have an active role to play in environmental stewardship This strategy sets out the communications objectives for the Trust. It identifies the audiences that it must communicate and engage with in order to keep people informed of carbon reduction initiatives and maintain and build awareness of the Trust s objectives. The strategy outlines the key communication aims and the mechanisms that it will use to deliver its carbon reduction objectives. This strategy must therefore be viewed in conjunction with the Trust s Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Strategy. Aims Inform and raise awareness amongst staff, partner organisations and the public about the Trust s Sustainability and Reduction Strategy Define the principal areas that the Trust is focusing on ( carbon management, procurement, transport and travel, waste) Establish a clear shared understanding of the Trust s Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Strategy and its objectives and generate enthusiasm and ownership among individuals/staff groups Ensure accurate information and guidance are provided at the right time Inform and raise awareness amongst audiences about the Trusts objectives and targets in all areas, key stages and timescales as and when appropriate Seek the views of staff, external stakeholders through questionnaires, surveys on what the Trust/ individuals can do to help meet objectives. Use champions/ representatives to deliver key messages in work areas. Set out clear benefits for the local community and staff of the strategy and what it means for them Create publicity/staff awareness campaigns and campaign materials Establish and maintain an overarching theme/strapline.e.g Cambridge used Think Green. Audiences
Awareness and the active involvement of a broad range of people throughout the Trust and in the community is an essential aspect of the Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Strategy The community: General public Relatives Carers The Health community including: Strategic Health Authorities Primary Care Trusts Hospital based Trusts GPs Patient Forums Local government/authorities including Social services County, district and town councils Emergency services Police Fire Ambulance Voluntary Organisations Support groups Private care organisations Local charities Other The Media Local MPs Overview and Scrutiny Committee PPI Forum
Mechanisms The Trust feels that the most effective way of communicating and engaging with staff and the public is through our own existing communication channels and the established forums, meetings and gatherings of our target audiences. These are as follows: Internal Communications Newsletters Health News Weekly, In Touch Chief Executive s Message Cascade Brief Joint Board of Directors Open sessions for all staff Directorate team meetings Occupational team meetings per directorate i.e. physicians, nurses Individual service meetings per directorate Speciality meetings (including external health partners) i.e. cancer Email bulletins Survey/Questionnaires Annual Review Newspaper Annual Report Posters, stickers External Communications The General Public through the Media by Press Releases Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings District Council area meetings Schools Churches MPs letters/ meetings Patient and Public Involvement Forum Voluntary group meetings i.e. Age Concern, Round Table, University of the 3 rd Age, SWSA Diversity group Linking in with their existing meetings Support Group meetings i.e. Diabetes, Stroke, Burns, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson s Disease etc
Measurement Feedback Through Questionnaires/ surveys Trust Internet and Intranet site Chief Executive s Message Cascade Brief can be used to feedback to staff Logs of meetings, presentations Email direct through the Trust website Monitoring Successful media coverage undertaken will be monitored as part of the on-going media monitoring carried out by the Public Relations Manager with regular contact with local media. Actions Communication actions are based on the Good Corporate Citizen focus areas and these will be linked to individual key messages relating to travel, Procurement, FM, Workforce, Community engagement and Buildings. Example COMMUNICATION PLAN TASK HOW AUDIENC E WHO PREPARE BY DATE COMPLETION DATE Public information (around key messages) Cascade Brief Staff newsletter Posters/ Notices/PR? Posters/ Notices/PR? Staff PB 30/01/10 Staff GA 22/02/10 Public PB 26/03/10 Public/Sta ff EEC As and When