SLaM in top 10 per cent of energy efficient Trusts

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is ranked in the top ten per cent of NHS Trusts in the first ever Energy Efficiency Performance League Table published today.

Over 150 NHS Trusts took part in the Environment Agency's scheme which required 2103 large organisations, that use more than 6,000MWh electricity per year, to measure and report on their carbon emissions.

SLaM has reduced its carbon footprint by 22 per cent over the last three years. A number of initiatives have contributed to this including converting the boilers at Maudsley Hospital from oil to gas and an ongoing awareness campaign to encourage staff to think about energy efficiency.

The installation of a building management system on the Trust's three main hospital sites means that heating is now controlled centrally. This means that timers can be better controlled to ensure heating is not left on unnecessarily. The heaters are also linked to the outside air temperature which makes them more energy efficient.

The three main hospital sites also have sub-meters so that the energy being used in each building can be monitored. If a particular building is showing high usage then staff from the Trust's facilities department can investigate to find out why and introduce improvements.

The Energy Efficiency Table ranks organisations against a baseline and not their total emissions and so recognises organisations who have already taken action to monitor and reduce their carbon emissions.

For more information contact Kathleen Friel, Communications & Media Officer, on 020 3228 2112 or kathleen.friel@slam.nhs.uk