Action across the NHS must happen now.

This article puts forward the case for introducing sustainability in the NHS and the associated benefits in terms of healthcare promotion, reducing negative environmental impact, achieving efficiency savings, and positive social and community values. How to introduce sustainability effectively in the changing NHS landscape is addressed and argument put forward for partnership working, stakeholder involvement and individual responsibility with clear acknowledgement that success hinges on a complete culture change. Sustainability in the NHS is approached in a parallel course, concentrating on public health issues and the five key themes of energy, water, waste, transport and procurement.