NHS Grampian launches Biodiversity Strategy and makes commitment to “protect the small things that make a big difference”

NHS Grampian has launched its first ever Biodiversity Strategy – an organisation-wide vision for how nature should be viewed and valued across its estates.

NHS Grampian Board Chair Alison Evison explained: “We know that biodiversity is in serious decline – globally, nationally, and regionally – putting the health and wellbeing of communities and economic stability at risk. It’s essential we take action and provide a leading example locally to protect the small things that make a big difference. We’re working hard to establish environmental resilience across NHS Grampian’s estate.”

The new strategy outlines legal requirements and explains how land management practices can, even on disused sites and patches of grass next to car parks, have an important role within wider ecological networks. The health board is set to be part of an Aberdeen Nectar Networks project, with funding awarded from Nature Scot to undertake work to support pollinators on the Foresterhill site.

NHS Grampian’s grounds team has taken part in No Mow May for a number of years, by leaving patches of grassy areas to grow wild during April and May. They have steadily increased the number of areas taking part, with around 20% of all grassy areas now included and some spots left to re-wild on a year-round basis.

Environmental Manager Rachel Roberts said: “Allowing the grass to grow long doesn’t just help pollinators – and our food industry. It enriches the soil and the bugs underneath, providing food for larger species, and it enables the ground to hold more water which provides protection against flooding. It also plays a key role in helping to clean the air.

“Our new Biodiversity Strategy takes this work a step further, formalising our approach and increasing our focus on rewilding activities across our estate. April and May are particularly important months for leaving grass and plants to grow as our pollinators are emerging for the season. These pollinators create habitats within the grass and will benefit from vital food sources the long grass provides.”

The new strategy includes an emphasis on developing a network of volunteers to carry out biodiversity restoration and conservation projects on the NHS Grampian estate. Biodiversity enhancement will be integrated into NHS Grampian’s planning processes and grounds maintenance will prioritise increasing the extent of natural habitats and tree canopy cover.

Bob Christie who leads the grounds maintenance team for NHS Grampian added: “We’ve already taken some positive steps, like reducing the application of herbicides and increasing the areas we can leave to host leaf litter – as this is so useful for helping local wildlife thrive too.

“We know being out in green space improves everyone’s mental wellbeing, and even visual access to outdoor space is helpful to patients, so we’re proud to be part of making our estate as welcoming to both humans and wildlife as possible.”

Rachel added: “Spending time in nature, even for a short time, produces chemicals in the brain that are linked to reducing stress levels and helps to lower blood pressure. Trees, plants, and other vegetation also play a significant role in reducing the amount of airborne air pollutants in the air which we breathe. Particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide emitted from vehicle exhaust and fuel combustions can cause and/or exacerbate diseases. Vegetation acts as a natural bioremediation tool, absorbing these harmful pollutants and purifying our air. With poor air quality now cited as the most serious environmental risk to public health in the UK, we need trees and plants more than ever.

“By making a stronger effort to consider the natural environment in long-term planning and clinical health strategies, we can start maximising the green spaces we have for human and planetary health.”

Find out more about NHS Grampian’s commitment to take action on climate change at www.nhsgrampian.org/sustainability