Primary Care Sheffield (PCS) has achieved Modeshift STARS accreditation at Approved level across all nine of its sites, recognising its commitment to helping staff make healthier and lower-carbon everyday journeys.
The accreditation supports the organisation’s Green Plan and contributes towards the NHS ambition to reach Net Zero.
PCS joined the Modeshift STARS Business programme in 2024. Since then, the organisation has worked to strengthen its Travel Plans, better understand staff travel habits and support more sustainable and active travel for everyday journeys across its network of GP practices and headquarters.
Supporting better everyday journeys across healthcare
Primary Care Sheffield operates across eight GP surgeries and one headquarters site, each with its own travel challenges and opportunities. Some sites have limited parking but strong public transport and cycling links, while others are less well connected and rely more heavily on car travel.
To support its STARS journey, the organisation:
- Audited all sites
- Carried out staff travel surveys
- Identified barriers to travel choices
- Introduced new travel initiatives
- Recruited volunteer Green Champions across the organisation
The surveys helped PCS understand how staff travel to work and what changes could encourage more walking, cycling, public transport use and shared journeys.
Chris Radmall, Head of Business Development at Primary Care Sheffield, said:
‘Primary care has a vital role to play in supporting the Greener NHS agenda and reducing environmental impact. Modeshift STARS has helped us strengthen the work already taking place across our sites and given us a clear framework to build on.’
PCS completed its first travel survey in 2024 and followed this with another in 2025. A further survey is planned later this year to help track progress and shape future activity.
Staff feedback drives change
Travel survey results highlighted strong staff interest in salary sacrifice schemes and support for greener travel options.
While a Cycle to Work scheme was already available, many staff were unclear about the offer and how to access it.
Business Development Officer Klaudia Kasa led work to improve communication and awareness around the scheme. As a result, staff engagement has increased and more employees now understand the support available.
PCS has also partnered with Octopus Energy to introduce an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme. The scheme launched earlier this year and staff have already started using it.
Klaudia Kasa said:
‘Staff have been really engaged with the work we’re doing to support better everyday journeys. There’s a genuine appetite across the organisation to get involved and make positive changes.’
The surveys also identified storage as a barrier for some staff choosing to walk or cycle. PCS responded by installing additional lockers initially at its Kenwood site to better support those journeys.
Building a culture of healthier travel choices
PCS continues to build engagement by linking activity to national campaigns and awareness events.
During National Walking Month, the organisation launched a new partnership with BetterPoints with support from Modeshift.
BetterPoints rewards people for making greener and healthier travel choices such as walking, wheeling, cycling, using public transport and car sharing. Staff have already started downloading and using the app.
To celebrate the accreditation, Klaudia visited each site to present staff with their Modeshift STARS certificates and encourage continued involvement.
Further activity planned this year includes:
- Cycle to Work Week promotions
- Updated travel resources for staff
- Activity linked to World Car Free Day
- Participation in Mode Shift Month 2026
Supporting greener and healthier journeys across the NHS
Primary Care Sheffield’s success shows how healthcare organisations can help people make healthier, lower-carbon and more affordable everyday journeys.
By improving support for walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport and shared travel, PCS is helping staff travel in ways that benefit their wellbeing, local communities and the environment.
