Innovation
Primary Care Route to Net Zero – Digital Journey Planner Module
Project Lead
Stacey Thomson, Programme Manager
The Challenge
Most General Practices lack the time, tools, and tailored guidance to understand and reduce their environmental impact. Existing sustainability frameworks are often too generic or burdensome for busy frontline staff, and implementation is hindered by time constraints, low confidence, and resource variability.
The Innovation
The Primary Care Route to Net Zero – Digital Journey Planner Module addresses the need for a structured, practical solution tailored to primary care by translating national Net Zero ambitions into feasible, evidence-based actions at practice level. It aims to help GP practices benchmark their sustainability maturity, access step-by-step guidance, and take action in areas such as energy, travel, procurement, and prescribing—without compromising care, quality or staff capacity.
The Net Zero module is designed specifically for general practice and is built into Redmoor Health’s Digital Journey Planner embedded within the wider Digital & Transformation Hub.
The module guides users through five key areas: energy, travel, goods and services, medicines, and awareness. Each section offers bite-sized educational content, practical tips, and step-by-step actions tailored to the realities of busy GP settings. Developed with input from clinical staff, patient representatives, and leading sustainability bodies (including Greener Practice and the RCGP), the module is grounded in evidence and focused on ease of use.
No additional staff are needed to implement the Planner and it integrates seamlessly into existing improvement work. The module is provided as part of a subscription to Redmoor’s Digital & Transformation Hub, which also includes wider tools for digital maturity, patient communications, and operational efficiency.
By turning high-level Net Zero ambitions into practical, manageable steps, the module supports frontline teams to make measurable progress—without overwhelming them. It reflects a broader shift in NHS priorities: from analogue to digital, from sickness to prevention, and from carbon targets to everyday care decisions.
Impact
Since its launch in late 2024, the module has been made available to 534 practices nationally and 180 more in Lancashire and South Cumbria. To date, 30 full assessments have been completed, with strong early-stage engagement from 11 pilot practices who contributed to a formative evaluation led by Health Innovation North West Coast.
Impact includes:
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Increased knowledge and confidence: Staff shifted from “low” to “high” Net Zero awareness
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Behaviour change: Staff reported stronger motivation to adopt sustainability practices, particularly in travel and prescribing
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Positive usability feedback: Described as clear, relevant, and practical by participants
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Patient and public engagement: Patients supported the practice’s role in sustainability and contributed to refining plain English content
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Commercial traction: The module is now embedded in Redmoor’s broader D&T Hub, extending sustainability features to additional users.
Qualitative feedback and modelling suggest improved air quality and health outcomes through behaviour change (e.g. increased active travel).
Date Published
June 2025