Our commitment to sustainability
At Mythe Medical Practice, we recognise that climate change is a health emergency as well as an environmental one. As a GP practice serving approximately 14,000 patients across Tewkesbury and surrounding areas, we are proud to play our part in building a greener, healthier future for our community and the wider world.
Climate change is a health emergency
Climate change is more than an environmental issue, it is a growing threat to public health. Poor environmental quality, including air pollution, can worsen a range of health conditions and affect overall wellbeing, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, older people and those with existing health issues.
As healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to protect the health of our patients while also reducing the environmental impact of our services. By taking action on sustainability, we can address both these challenges, supporting healthier lives and a healthier planet.
Green Impact for Health – Platinum Award
We are delighted to have achieved the Platinum Award in the Green Impact for Health Toolkit, a national programme that supports GP practices to make practical, evidence-based changes that reduce environmental impact. This award reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire team to making sustainable healthcare a reality.
The Green Impact toolkit encourages improvements in areas such as:
- Sustainable prescribing
- Greener travel
- Energy use and efficiency
- Waste reduction
- Community engagement and education
Reducing our carbon footprint
A key change we have made is reducing printed letters and postal communication. Wherever appropriate, we now contact patients by SMS (text message). This is faster, more efficient, and significantly lowers our environmental impact.
While we’ll always ensure communication is accessible for those who need letters, the shift to digital-first communication has already saved:
- Hundreds of letters each month
- Significant CO₂e emissions, based on national estimates of around 140 kg of CO₂e per 1,000 letters
- Time and resources, which can now be re-focused on patient care
To help us continue this work, please make sure we have your up-to-date email address and mobile number. You can update your details anytime using our online form.
Our renewable energy use
The building where we operate has 96 solar panels on the roof, generating clean, renewable energy. This helps reduce our carbon footprint by lowering reliance on fossil fuels and supporting a greener future for all.
Other steps we are taking
As part of our broader sustainability work, we are also:
- Using energy-efficient lighting and appliances in the practice
- Recycling both clinical and office waste where appropriate
- Supporting staff who walk or cycle to work
- Reviewing prescribing practices to minimise medicine waste
- Engaging with NHS networks and campaigns to share ideas and continue improving
Why it matters
The NHS is responsible for 4 to 5% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. For context, that is almost as much as the entire aviation industry, which accounts for around 5.9%. That makes healthcare one of the UK’s biggest carbon contributors, and GP practices like ours have a vital role to play in reducing that impact.
In October 2020, the NHS became the first health service in the world to commit to reaching net zero, recognising the profound and growing threat that climate change poses to public health.
This NHS England video explains the importance of sustainability in healthcare and the NHS’s commitment to reaching net zero.
This video highlights practical steps GP practices in Gloucestershire are taking to reduce their environmental impact.
By making practical changes such as switching to text messaging, cutting waste, and using renewable energy, we are proud to support this national commitment while continuing to provide high-quality care to our patients.
Our sustainability work is ongoing, and we remain committed to making meaningful progress wherever we can. We’ll continue to update this page as our efforts develop and new initiatives are introduced.