University of ��«Ӱҵ students win Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Award

5 December 2024

Medical students at the University of ��«Ӱҵ have won a national award for their project working in partnership with the University, NHS Greener Practice, and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

A group of students stood outside holding a ��«Ӱҵ Cycling 4 All banner

University of ��«Ӱҵ medical students won the Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Award for Healthcare Engagement Project of the Year, recognising their innovative work on sustainable travel in primary care
The project looked at social determinants of health through a transport lens
This project was of significance nationally for its partnership working between the University, NHS Greener Practice, and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
This collaboration enabled working at scale, to make Foundry PCN the first UK primary care network accredited on the Modeshift
Students engaged with other GP PCNs in the north of ��«Ӱҵ as well as local organisations that help keep people physically active, including ��«Ӱҵ Cycling 4 All and On Board Skate Park

A sustainability module which focused on NHS staff travel at the University of ��«Ӱҵ has won , presented at the ceremony in Leeds on Tuesday 19 November. Selected from three finalists in the healthcare category, the project highlighted how innovative thinking can reshape sustainable practices in primary care.

Whilst many large hospital trusts have sustainable travel plans, it remains unusual outside of these large healthcare settings. By collaborating with Primary Care Network staff and using the Green Impact for Health Toolkit, students looked at the travel needs of over 200 NHS staff to consider how health is about more than just healthcare. The project contributed to making Foundry PCN the first accredited on the Modeshift Platform in the UK.

The toolkit was also used by students on sustainability student-selected component projects for more clinical domains, such as green prescribing of asthma inhalers, with one regular metered dose asthma inhaler having the same carbon footprint as a car driving from ��«Ӱҵ to London. This work contributes to the national mission to make the NHS the first zero-emission health service in the world, as described in .

Expanding its reach, the project also included work for other GP practices in the North of ��«Ӱҵ and contributed to pioneering practices across the city, including the advance of Green Cross & Birley Health Centre to a ‘Good’ accreditation status.

The module introduced students to impactful community organisations, broadening their understanding of sustainable and inclusive transport. Dr. Jo Maher NHS GP, who led the project, connected students with , a Disability ��«Ӱҵ project offering adaptive cycling sessions at Hillsborough Park. Additionally, they engaged with , an OFSTED alternative education provider that empowers young people through life skills training, qualifications, and pathways to employment.

Dr Jo Maher said: “This award is a testament to the impact of partnerships across organisations and student engagement in driving meaningful change. Medical students are highly motivated to make a difference especially when it comes to sustainability. There’s been fantastic engagement with the Green Impact for Health toolkit across the UK.

“Government statistics show transport is the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gas emissions, producing 26% of the UK’s total emissions in 2021. Projects such as this are steps in the right direction.

“The collaboration in this project highlights the impact of integrating education with real-world challenges. The students will be doctors themselves in just a couple of years, but they don’t have to wait to make a difference, they can do so right now.”