The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has become the first organisation in Cheshire and Merseyside to achieve a fully Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliant fleet, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to reducing emissions and improving local air quality. 

The achievement supports the Trust’s wider sustainability ambitions and reflects ongoing investment in greener ways of delivering services across the organisation. 

Cathy Chadwick, Chief Operating Officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, described the milestone as “another strong step forward” for the Trust.

She explained: “Becoming the first fully ULEZ‑compliant fleet in Cheshire and Merseyside is another strong step forward for us. It reflects the momentum we’re building as a Trust that’s modernising and moving forward for our patients and our community.  

“As we continue to strengthen our services and grow our teaching hospital ambitions, we want local people to feel proud that their hospital is increasingly leading the way.” 

The milestone marks significant progress in the Trust’s journey towards a greener NHS, as it works to reduce its carbon footprint while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care. 

To support its services, the Trust operates a wide range of vehicles, including cars, vans, and rapid response units, and as part of the NHS’s national ambition to reach net zero, is working towards a future where its entire fleet is zero-emission. 

The Trust’s Facilities Services transport team plays a vital role in supporting both hospital and community services, providing a comprehensive non-patient transport service.

This includes collecting specimens from GP surgeries and other hospitals, transporting essential items such as post, supplies, health records and medical equipment, and delivering complex care packages to patients’ homes.

These packages, which are received and coordinated through the Trust’s stores, contain vital medical supplies and equipment for patients with complex care needs, helping to ensure they can receive safe and effective care in their own homes.

The team also supports community maternity care by delivering and collecting equipment for expectant mothers, alongside operating a seven-day shuttle transporting specimens to microbiology laboratories in Bromborough.  

Covering around 5,000 miles each week, the service is essential to maintaining timely diagnostics and patient care across the organisation. 

Recognising the impact of air pollution and climate change on health, the Trust is taking ambitious steps to reduce its environmental impact and accelerate its journey to net zero. 

Under NHS targets, all non-emergency patient transport and standard vehicles will be zero-emission by 2035, with the full fleet, including emergency ambulances, following by 2040. 

In line with these goals, sustainability is now embedded into all vehicle purchasing decisions at the Trust, ensuring owned, leased and contracted vehicles align with national carbon reduction targets. 

A key part of this transition is the introduction of seven new electric and hybrid fleet support vehicles, replacing older diesel models. 

The vehicles are already delivering measurable benefits, including estimated fuel savings of around £3,500 per vehicle each year, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs, and a projected reduction of 283 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over five years. 

Jill Morgan, Sustainable Travel and Transport Manager at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“We are delighted to introduce these new electric and hybrid vehicles as part of our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable NHS fleet. This is an important step forward in reducing emissions, improving air quality and supporting the health of our communities.” she added. “By leading the way on ULEZ compliance and embracing low-emission transport, the Trust is demonstrating how healthcare organisations can play a vital role in creating a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. 

This latest achievement comes as the Trust continues to improve patient care and experience as part of its long-term transformation of local hospital services.  

It follows another significant milestone last year, when the award-winning Women and Children’s Building opened as the first Net Zero building in the NHS.