Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - University Hospital Lewisham (UHL)
Summary
There is a growing trend in the private and voluntary sectors for monitoring and reporting on environmental and social performance, as well as financial and service accomplishments. This concern is often referred to as corporate social responsibility. As far as we are aware, no NHS organisation have produced this kind of integrated accounts - even though good health and wellbeing are underpinned by positive social experiences, conditions and relations and a healthy natural environment.
This research project is exploring the meaning of social responsibility in the NHS by carrying out social and environmental impact assessments of University Hospital Lewisham and a local GP practice (Wells Park Practice in Sydenham). The case studies involved identifying the elements and indicators of social and environmental performance. The project has followed the principles of social auditing developed by the New Economics Foundation and the Institute of Social and Ethical Accountability - namely the inclusion and participation of stakeholders.
