The STARS Healthcare scheme launched in July 2024, and already 109 sites nationally have achieved STARS Healthcare accreditation. And, in March this year Kettering General hospital were crowned STARS Healthcare National Site of the Year 2024/25.
Their Travel Plan aims to increase access to the hospital by non-car modes, effectively communicate sustainable travel options to all, and reduce the Trust’s carbon footprint in line with NHS Net Zero targets. All while actively support travel modes which contribute to improved health and wellbeing.
Modeshift Corporate Premium Members, Brightwayz have been supporting Kettering General Hospital with their travel plan for several years.
Here, Projects and Partnerships Director, Alison Holland, gives an insight into the activities:
‘We were commissioned by Kettering General Hospital to support the development and implementation of a travel plan that had originally been prepared ahead of extensive plans to rebuild the hospital. The key thing with travel plans is for those involved to recognise that writing one is just the start! They are only useful if they are actually implemented, regularly reviewed, improved on and treated as a living document – which is what the travel team at the hospital wanted.
Over the years it has been really enjoyable working with the hospital team and seeing how things are improving. As well as putting in these initiatives they have also been really good at getting high engagement in their staff annual travel survey – no mean feat with over 4,000 staff! Having the right internal comms links within the hospital was key to that. Having a section on the survey for open written comments meant we received a lot of insight into staff needs, their situations and ideas.’
The initiatives included:
- Assessing cycle parking needs. Organising the installation of quality cycle shelters, a public cycle pump and repair rack… with a launch party to celebrate!
- ‘Learn to fix’ bike kitchen events and group workshops – as part of the Cycling UK Big Bike Revival.
- Custom printed bookmarks with information on sources of active travel support, bus info etc.
- Cycle to KGH Facebook group for staff to share ideas and questions.
- Kinto car share app for staff.
- Distributing free cycle maps at travel info stands.
- Engagement events in the staff canteen for the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
- Free cycle training for adults.
- Promoting other local active travel initiatives e.g. town centre scooter disco, free loan of e-bikes, e-scooter training etc.
