1:00pm Monday 22nd March 2010
By Patrick Knox
BASINGSTOKE hospital is helping to keep the Earth in good health, a report says.
The Department of Health gave the hospital an A rating for being very carbon efficient.
This ruling is based on carbon dioxide emission equivalents (CO2) for water, sewage, waste and recycled waste.
The carbon indicator has been developed to help trusts identify their wider carbon footprint.
Paul Bond, Basingstoke hospital head of estates, said: “We are really pleased with this rating because it recognises the effort we are putting into recycling and waste management.”
Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, is one of just 10 NHS organisations that have committed to a 10 per cent cut in carbon emissions by the end of 2010 in electricity, on-site fuel use and road transport.
Mr Bond said: “We have a detailed and efficient recycling and waste management programme – and we have made some in-roads on electricity and gas usage despite a very cold winter.”
But the trust is not resting on its laurels because now it aims to reduce its commuting and travel footprint. And this means reducing reliance on the car.
Mr Bond said: “We already have a car-share scheme and recently started a bike-purchase scheme for staff. The hospital also values the bus services and is in regular conversations with Stagecoach to ensure our staff and patients get a good bus service”
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