UKHab Survey & Natural Capital Assessment of NHS Estate

NatureScot, in partnership with NHS National Services Scotland, is intending to carry out:

1. a UKHabv2 survey and;
2. a Natural Capital Assessment (NCA)

of the NHS Estate in Scotland.

A first Phase (herein referred to as Phase A to avoid confusion with ‘Phase 1’ Surveys) has already delivered UKHabv2 surveys for the NHS Estate within areas covered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Highland and NHS Tayside. Additionally, a Phase 1 Habitat Survey of NHS Lothian Estate was carried out in 2020 as part of a biodiversity and climate change assessment for the NHS Lothian estate.

1. The purpose of carrying out the UKHAb2 survey in the remaining 10 NHS Board areas (Phase B) is to establish a baseline to inform:

• a natural capital account of NHS greenspace at the NHS Board scale (part 2. of this project)
• a possible future biodiversity assessment of the NHS Estate, once an biodiversity metric tool has been developed and established in Scotland
• management of NHS greenspace to provide positive effects for biodiversity
• management of NHS greenspace to maximize the health benefits for staff, patients and the wider community
• priorities for investment in NHS greenspace to maximize benefits for people and nature
• opportunities for people to connect with nature as part of therapeutic health interventions

2. The purpose of carrying out the NCA across all Board areas (Phases A and B) is to provide:

• an appreciation and valuation – where possible in monetary terms - of the ecosystem services that the natural resources provide, such as clean water and air, flood regulation, climate regulation (carbon sequestration), pollination and visual amenity
• a framework for understanding the economic and social value of natural assets, which can be used to justify investments in nature and guide resource allocation
• a demonstration of how the NHS contributes to the well-being of society through actions that benefit nature
• a framework for risk management of natural capital and the potential impacts on the NHS estate.