Greener Palliative Care Silver Award

Friday 24th Apr 2026

Forest Holme has been recognised for its environmental commitment, receiving the Greener Palliative Care Silver Award as part of the programme’s inaugural awards, achieving the highest accolade among the first organisations to take part.

Developed by the Palliative Care Sustainability Network, the award celebrates organisations that are reducing their environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of compassionate care for patients and families. From cutting carbon emissions and reducing waste to adopting sustainable procurement practices and promoting greener travel, the awardees have demonstrated that quality care and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Among the first round of awards, four organisations achieved Bronze status, while Forest Holme Hospice was the first, and currently only, organisation to receive the Silver Award, which was presented at the Palliative Care Congress in Brighton.

The hospice has introduced a number of practical initiatives through its staff-led Green Group, which brings together colleagues from across the organisation to explore ways of embedding sustainability into everyday hospice life.

Changes so far include reducing unnecessary glove use where it is not clinically required, installing automatic lighting in appropriate areas to lower energy consumption and introducing charity running vests made from 100% recycled materials.

Forest Holme is also contributing to wider research, with consultant-led work examining the number of blood tests carried out in the final weeks of life across Dorset and whether some investigations could be reduced to support more personalised care while also lowering environmental impact.

A Forest Holme Hospice spokesperson said, “We are incredibly proud to receive the Greener Palliative Care Silver Award. Conversations about legacy are part of hospice care, so caring for the future of our planet matters too. This recognition reflects the passion of our staff as sustainability becomes part of our culture.”

While proud of the Silver Award milestone, the charity says its sustainability journey will continue, with further work planned to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and review clinical practices across the hospice.