If you want to find more about First Community, our plans, reviews and our approach, this area covers some of our key documents and statements.

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us, please contact us. 

Sustainability

As an NHS community provider committed to outstanding lifelong local healthcare, First Community recognises the growing impact climate change has on the health of patients and the wider community.

NHS England set out an ambitious target to being net zero by 2040 and First Community is committed to playing its part in achieving this by delivering sustainable healthcare to the communities it serves.

Our Green Plan aims to:

  • Reduce our emissions to net zero carbon by 2040/45
  • Adapt our services and buildings to the impacts of climate change
  • Address the targets within the Environment Act 2021.

The next five years will be critical to enabling us to meet our net zero targets to 2040. Key areas of focus will be switching to lower carbon modes of travel (including electric vehicles), ensuing most efficient use of our estate, and engaging with our landlords to ensure our remaining properties are progressively decarbonised. It will also save us money; for example, our project in dietetics reduced costs of clinical consumables related to enteral feeding by 30%.

The plan highlights our continued focus on partnership working with our Care Without Carbon team to maximise our impact, reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

Our Green Plan reflects our commitment to protecting the health of our communities by tackling climate change, reducing our environmental impact and working in partnership to make a real difference for our patients, staff and the places we serve.

By delivering care in a more sustainable way, we are enabling better health outcomes and long-term financial sustainability.

Read more about our ambitious Green Plan below.

First Community Green Plan 2026 (accessible)[pdf] 8MB

Equality and diversity

As a healthcare provider, an employer and a social enterprise, First Community is committed to ensuring equality and inclusion are at the heart of what we do and the way we work. This means that we undertake to act equitably and fairly at all times, towards our patients and service users and our staff. We take serious our obligations under the Equality Act to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act (Equality Act 2010)
  • Advance equal opportunities between people who share a characteristic and those who don't
  • Foster good relations between people who share a characteristic and those who don't

Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we continue to strive to build an inclusive culture. Racism will not be tolerated by First Community.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report 2024-25 

Workforce Race Equality Standards April 2024 - March 2025

Workforce Disability Equality Standards - Annual Report 2024

Gender Pay Gap Data Report 2024 [pdf] 335KB

Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard aims to ensure people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss get information he/she can access and understand and any communication support needed.  We ask patients, services users and carers if they have information or communication needs and how we can meet those needs. We record this information on records, highlight this so it is clear to colleagues, share this as appropriate and provide information in the correct format as needed. You can read more about this on the NHS England website. 

Privacy Notice

This notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it and how we keep it secure. It also explains your rights and our legal obligation. We undertake information audits to establish clear lines on what personal data we hold and what we do with it.

First community is committed to digital transformation and will be improving the way that we communicate with patients by using SMS texts and email.

Privacy Policy[pdf] 224KB

Click here to read the easy read version of our privacy policy

Domestic Abuse Statement

Domestic abuse - you are not alone

First Community Health and Care is committed to supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is not always visible, it can feel scary and isolating but you are not alone.

If you, or a loved one, are the victim of domestic abuse our practitioners can help you to access confidential support through East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS).

Contact ESDAS in confidence on 01737 771350 9am - 4pm Mon - Fri

Website  www.esdas.org.uk

Email  support@esdas.org.uk

SMS  07860 039720

If it is safe to do so, you can also download the Bright Sky App or visit their website which is for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. https://www.hestia.org/brightsky

In an emergency dial 999