Personal Travel (Staff, Patient and Visitor)

The NHS generates nearly 10 billion road journeys every year, and about 1 in 30 motor vehicle trips in the UK is linked to NHS care.

Whilst electric vehicles are part of the solution, they cannot resolve the problems of congestion, fine particulate matter air pollution, and the impact of sedentary lifestyles on us all. Every unnecessary trip we make by private motor vehicle also makes it harder for others to use more sustainable modes of travel.

Particularly for short trips, it's vital that we create easier opportunities for walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

Cars approaching traffic in the rain

What we've done

  • Provided secure cycle parking and produced cycle maps for each of our sites.
  • Purchased electric bicycles you can borrow free for a fortnight to try cycling.
  • Removed the limit on purchase price for our tax efficient Cyclescheme, and now added electric bikes and accessories to the scheme.
  • Ensured we have the right modal hierarchy in our communications.
  • Implemented a staff public transport discount and spread purchase scheme.
  • Achieved Modeshift Bronze in our travel plan.

What we're doing

  • Asking Birmingham City Council to provide safe cycling routes, particularly across the city centre, for our staff and visitors.
  • Exploring how we communicate travel options to new starters.
  • Looking at how we can provide EV (Electric Vehicle) charging points in public places.
  • Installing additional cycle parking for the public at our Women's Hospital, and adding parking for disability adapted cycles at our Children's Hospital.
  • Reviewing our approach to subsidies, and how we can support staff to not drive into the city centre.