Special supplement | Stories of change
In December 2022, the BMJ Research Forum convened more than 300 researchers, clinicians, and system leaders at BMA House in London, UK. The programme included a presentation on the Sandpit methodology, a structured interdisciplinary approach that connects research capability with real health system priorities and moves beyond discussion towards action. Among those in attendance was Dominique Allwood MBE , who recognised the potential of the methodology to support collaboration and co- production across complex healthcare systems. She subsequently adapted the approach within the UCLPartners Climate Collaborative, an initiative supporting delivery of the NHS Green Plan across University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The collaborative spans 17 hospitals serving more than six million patients and brings together clinicians, nurses, estates professionals, and IT teams to embed sustainability as a shared operational priority. Learning from the BMJ Research Forum was later carried into the 2023 Copenhagen Forum, which attracted thousands of participants from around the world. The Sandpit approach was shared through a dedicated sustainability session chaired by Dr Allwood. Since 2022, the UCLPartners Climate Collaborative has translated convening into action by funding applied research projects to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, embedding interdisciplinary collaboration, and achieving national recognition through a highly commended award at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2025. Connecting communities to inspire change From convening to action on NHS sustainability
BMJ Group’s global reach and its ability to convene diverse audiences of leaders, innovators, and specialists are what make such knowledge-sharing and expertise exchange possible. The organisation has demonstrated its commitment to amplifying the voices that deserve to be heard, enabling experiences and insights to be shared, and inspiring individuals across functional and national boundaries. Dominique Allwood MBE Chief executive officer, Imperial College Health Partners, and director of population health, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
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