NHS 'must cut carbon emissions'

Hospitals across Wales are working to cut emissions

The Welsh NHS needs to become greener, according to a report which reveals that it uses the same annual energy consumption as 32,000 houses.

The health service's target is to cut carbon emissions by 15% by 2010.

Welsh NHS Confederation director Mike Ponton said the NHS in Wales was "making real progress in reducing its environmental footprint".

But he said the report, Taking the Temperature, showed there was still much to do to reduce emissions further.

The NHS is Wales' biggest employer, with 70,000 staff across 500 sites, treating the equivalent of 22 million patients a year.

The report, published by the NHS Confederation UK and the New Economics Foundation, said the service had a major role to play in tackling climate change.

The NHS has responded positively to the need to reduce carbon emissions Eric Thomas, assistant director, Welsh health estates

Examples of good practice include Bronllys Hospital in Powys, which has installed 485 solar panels, producing around 6% of the site's annual energy needs.

Elsewhere, Singleton Hospital in Swansea has set up a scheme to encourage more of its 2,000 staff to cycle or walk to work by investing in improvements to lockers and shower rooms, as well as a system in which bikes can be bought for a discount.

'Responded positively'

New boilers have been installed at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, reducing CO2 emissions and saving £25,000 in energy bills.

Other initiatives planned include a wind turbine at Withybush Hospital in Pembrokeshire, biomass boilers at two sites and a new combined heat and power system for Pontypridd Cottage Hospital.

Mr Ponton said climate change was a challenge for everyone.

"The report makes clear that the NHS still has lots to do to cut emissions further," he said.

"But already, across Wales, NHS organisations are taking action which is making a difference."

Eric Thomas, assistant director of Welsh health estates, said: "The NHS has responded positively to the need to reduce carbon emissions.

"These measures will help the NHS in its efforts to meet its target for a 15% reduction in overall emissions by 2010."