Smokefree and fighting fumes at the RUH for Clean Air campaign

Visitors and staff at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust were encouraged to support national Clean Air Day (on Thursday 20 June) by switching off their engine when idling and by being smokefree while on the hospital site.

The Trust launched a new air quality campaign in January 2019 at the RUH – fighting fumes from vehicle exhausts and introducing a smoke and tobacco-free policy.

Smoking shelters were removed and smoking is not permitted anywhere on Trust grounds. Vaping is allowed, outdoors and away from entrances and windows.

Clean Air Day was an opportunity to reinforce the Trust's 'Switch off when you drop off' message. The RUH Sustainability team, who are responsible for environmental issues at the hospital, were out and about, targeting idling vehicles and asking all drivers to switch off their engines when dropping off passengers, especially in main entrance areas. The team are also working with local bus and taxi companies, as well as patient transport providers, to encourage them to support the initiative.

Brian Johnson, RUH Director of Estates and Facilities, said: "We all know air pollution is bad for our health. As a health organisation we have a responsibility to provide a clean and healthy environment for everyone who uses the hospital and for local residents. We're grateful to people who are already supporting us and doing the right thing, and hope more will be inspired by our campaign and Clean Air Day to do their bit too."

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and is now working towards a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

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