NHS is urged to become more energy conscious

The NHS will have to become “greener” and more conscious of its energy use to avert a potential financial crisis, a meeting of senior health service managers heard last week.

The warning came as Caroline Flint, the public health minister, launched detailed advice on how NHS organisations could combat waste and environmental damage. She said it was “vital that the NHS, as Britain's—and Europe's—biggest employer, sets an example on sustainable development.”

However, a leading environmentalist told the launch that it was also vital for the NHS to cut its use of energy to avert a cash crisis.

Jonathon Porritt, the chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission, said volatility in the oil markets meant that NHS organisations that failed to cut their energy consumption could face unprecedented financial problems by the end of the decade.

“Oil prices could be heading towards $100 [£58; €84] a barrel. What's going to happen to all these organisations that haven't got their heads around this, and what's going to happen to their balance sheets?” he said.

He added that all NHS organisations should be aiming to shave 30% off fuel bills in the next few years.

“If they don't, and, as some forecasters have predicted, oil prices go from $60 to $100 a barrel by the end of the decade, it would be terrible for unprepared parts of the NHS. And you can bet that there would be no more money from central government.”

The commission has teamed up with the Department of Health to launch the new “self assessment model” to help every NHS organisation boost its efficiency.

Nigel Crisp, the NHS's chief executive, underlined the seriousness that the department was placing on sustainable development, by calling on everyone from single handed GPs to strategic health authorities to do their bit. “I will be looking not just for managers but for whole trust boards to be taking this very seriously,” he said.

The £12bn NHS building programme is one key area where ministers want the NHS to get greener—and save money in the process. The commission says that intelligent design will enable buildings to have lower energy consumption and allow more light and ventilation.

Greater use of local services and goods will reduce fuel use and carbon emissions, as well as boosting the economy and ultimately the health of local communities.

“It's about creating a ‘virtuous circle,’” said Anna Coote, the commissioner for health at the Sustainable Development Commission. She said that as Europe's largest employer the NHS needed to set an example in sustainable developments: “There's no excuse any more for the NHS not to be thinking about this.”

Five NHS trusts have piloted the model. One of these, the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, said it was able to save £300 000 in three years simply by using its printers more economically.

More information can be found at www.corporatecitizen.nhs.uk.