Light switch off a big winner at SUH!
Sligo University Hospital has been switching off lights and its endeavours has seen it come runner up in a national competition to save enegery.
Six hospitals took part in the competition which was run by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in collaboration with the HSE’s National Health Sustainability Office (NHSO).
The campaign aimed to empower hospital staff to take control of the energy consumed in their workplace and to embed energy saving habits.
The BIG Switch Off saw staff making an extra effort to switch off non – essential equipment in advance of the Bank Holiday weekends.
Sligo University Hospital was named runner up in The Big Switch Off.
Points were awarded based on the percentage of energy saved by hospitals, as well as being awarded for the number of engagement activities each hospital participated in. Combined, the hospitals saved enough electricity to power an average operating theatre for 162 days.
The success of the Big Switch Off in each of the six hospitals who participated in the com- petition successfully demonstrated the cumulative impact that small individual actions can have. The BIG Switch Off is part of the Optimising Power at Work Programme which is a staff energy awareness campaign run by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
In partnership with the HSE’s National Health Sustainability Office (NHSO) the campaign is currently active in fourteen hospitals across Ireland and nearly 300 other public buildings.
Congratulating the hospitals on their achievements, Paul Tighe, Senior Engineer at The Office of Public Works said:
“Climate Change is a serious issue which we need to address with renewed determination as a country.
“We are delighted with the success of ‘ The BIG Switch Off ’ and the level of engagement by staff. I want to thank HSE’s National Health Sustainability Office and all of the six hospitals for taking part.”