22.10.12
£24m awarded to green NHS projects
The Scottish Government has announced that it will award £24m to projects reducing carbon emissions in the NHS over the next three years.
Ministers hope that the projects will reduce energy costs by £4m annually. This can be reinvested into patient care and reduce greenhouse gasses by 10%. Grants will be awarded to initiatives that demonstrate they will substantially reduce carbon emissions.
Many projects are already funded by the scheme, including a biomass boiler at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. Glasgow’s Gartavel Royal Hospital will also convert their heating system from oil to gas and wind turbines will be installed in order to support remote health centres in the Shetland Islands.
The NHS in Scotland also made energy efficiency savings of £319m from 2011 to 2012, just exceeding the £317m target.
Announcing the funding boost, health secretary Alex Neil said: “This money will play a key role in helping to make the NHS more energy efficient, and in reducing our carbon footprint.
“Going green will enable NHS boards to reduce costs, and help to ensure we have an NHS which is fit for the future.
“The £4m that will be saved each year through this scheme will be reinvested directly into frontline patient care, ensuring patients across Scotland continue to receive the best possible care and treatment.”
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