Sirona Care & Health: Happier wallets, healthier communities

34 EVs delivered

29,000 trees saved

59 tonnes of CO2 saved

Cheaper travel for employees

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About Sirona Care & Health

Sirona Care & Health is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that provides NHS community services. Their goal is simple: to help people live healthier lives and to support the wellbeing of the communities they’re part of.

🍎 Industry: Healthcare

📍 Headquarters: Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

👨‍💼 Employees: 1000+ employees

Making home visits cheaper and easier.

The NHS runs the second-largest vehicle fleet in the UK, behind only Royal Mail. More than 20,000 NHS vehicles clock up over 460 million miles a year, delivering essential services and helping keep the health system moving.

But the miles come at a cost. Air pollution is linked to around 36,000 deaths in the UK every year, with the biggest impact on the most vulnerable people in our communities. To tackle this, the NHS has committed to a fully decarbonised fleet by 2040. And Sirona Care & Health has gone even further, pledging to reach net zero by 2027.

That ambitious target meant Sirona Care & Health needed to find new ways to reduce its carbon footprint. As a community organisation, its staff drive long distances every week – so the solution had to start with cars. And it had to work for everyone, regardless of salary.

“We deliver care in the community, which generates a lot of miles,” says Jessica Burston, Associate Director of Estates and Environmental. “We have a responsibility to improve air quality around the communities we support.”

Its leadership team wanted to give employees a greener, more affordable way to travel that also made financial sense for the organisation.

An EV for every budget.

When Sirona began exploring options, their banking partner HSBC recommended Octopus EV’s salary sacrifice scheme. With HSBC’s backing and Octopus EV’s proven track record, it was a partnership they could trust.

“I came across Octopus EV and really liked the ethos of who they are and what they do,” remembers Kelly Scott, Sustainability and Environmental Manager.

The salary sacrifice scheme quickly became a natural fit. Staff sacrifice part of their gross salary in return for an EV. Because the payment comes out before tax, they save thousands of pounds a year. Everything’s included in a single monthly fee: the car, insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, and even a home charger installation. That means staff can get behind the wheel of an EV without worrying about hidden costs.

Sirona Care & Health’s staff are flying the flag for our more affordable EVs. They’re driving Volkswagen ID.3s and MG 4s, which are among our most affordable cars. Some have even opted for the super-cheap Dacia Spring, which is available for less than £200 per month.

But for many, it’s been a lifestyle upgrade as much as a financial one. “Before getting my electric car, I had a Golf GTI,” says Ben Burrows, Interim Chief Medical Officer. “When I moved to the BMW i4, it’s far more rapid, more enjoyable, and more comfortable. And when I charge at home on Octopus Energy’s agile tariff, it costs just £6 or £7 for a full charge. It’s a huge saving compared to petrol.”

Through our approved used programme, staff can now choose from second-hand EVs at lower price points, making the switch even more affordable. “What’s great about salary sacrifice is that it brings vehicles within reach for people who might have thought it wasn’t for them,” says Jessica.

More money to spend creating a healthier nation.

The results have been powerful, both for staff and for the organisation. Employees are enjoying newer, greener cars with dramatically lower running costs. “I just think it's the way forward,” says Keighley Hacking, Education and Student Development Manager. “The cost of living – and just costs in general – salary sacrifice does help with all those things.”

For many, it’s cheaper than a monthly train ticket, and the convenience of having everything bundled into one payment has made the transition seamless.

“It puts everything together in one payment. Tax, insurance, servicing, everything’s in one place,” says Paul Connor, Head of Financial Accounts. “From a financial point of view, it’s extremely beneficial for staff. And for us as an employer, there are National Insurance savings too, which means we can reinvest more money back into services.”

Charging on the go is even easier with Octopus Electroverse, Europe’s largest charging network, which gives staff access to thousands of chargepoints across the UK. Combined with home charging on Octopus Energy tariffs, the experience is proving simpler and cheaper than most had imagined.

“The benefits you get with the scheme and the fact that it's more efficient and environmentally friendly, I think all around it's really, really positive,” adds Paul.

The cultural impact has been just as important. Staff are proud to be driving cars that help their organisation hit net zero targets while making a difference to their local communities.

“The biggest thing for me is the ability for our staff to contribute to reducing our carbon impact,” says Jessica. “The support from Octopus EV has been excellent. They’ve really held our hand through the process. It’s a no-brainer.”

Even more exciting, the scheme’s already inspiring the next generation of drivers. “My son’s only nine, but he really wants an EV,” laughs Keighley Hacking, Education and Student Development Manager.

So, would Sirona Care & Health’s staff recommend us to others? “Definitely,” says Kelly. “The scheme is really effective and really easy to use, so go for it. It's got so many benefits.”