By Gareth Iacobucci
Primary care could save almost £50m over the next five years if it adopts more energy-efficient practices, according to a new report commissioned by premises experts the LIFT Council.
A study of every PCT's carbon emissions for a new industry report found huge variation across trusts' estates, the ownership of which will be transferred, in some cases to GP consortia, when PCTs are abolished by April 2013.
The LIFT Council called for all PCTs and organisations who succeed them to adopt long-term carbon management strategies to minimise their emissions – in addition to the ‘quick wins' achievable through modest changes in practice.
The report, Energise Your Estate the Low Carbon Way, was carried out by Blue Sky Environmental.
David Pokora, executive director of the LIFT Council, said: ‘There is clearly an opportunity for primary care to make significant and valuable savings by adopting better practice when it comes to its carbon footprint.'
‘More broadly, the NHS as a whole owns tens of thousands of premises across the UK. By developing carbon reduction strategies, there is the opportunity to save vast amounts of money across the whole NHS estate that could go a considerable way in contributing to the target of £20 billion in efficiency savings.'
‘The advice for GPs if they feel that energy costs are very high and not likely to meet carbon reduction targets is to seek professional advice.'
The NHS could save almost £50m a year by making its premises more energy-efficient, according to the LIFT Council The NHS could save almost £50m a year by making its premises more energy-efficient, according to the LIFT Council
