25 March 2009

Sydney Children's Hospital doing its bit during Earth Hour

Staff, patients and families of Sydney Children’s Hospital (SCH), Randwick will do their best to 'power down' during Earth Hour on Saturday, 28 March joining communities in more than 930 towns and cities in 80 countries in turning off their lights to send a powerful message that it’s possible to take action on climate change.

As a working children’s hospital, SCH is limited in what can be 'switched off', however with the support of the Hospital’s Environmental Group Committee – which is comprised of surgeons, paediatricians, health education staff and a parent advisor – staff and families are being called on to consider how they can take part in Earth Hour, as well as reduce their carbon footprint beyond this global event.

Sydney Children Hospital is encouraging staff to switch off computers, printers, scanners, microwaves, lights and any other unused electrical items before leaving work for the day.

Staff working at SCH during Earth Hour are also being called on to turn off unused lights and electrical items between 8:30pm and 9:30pm.

Dr Susan Adams, Chair of the Hospital’s Environmental Group Committee and Head of General Paediatric Surgery says that hospital staff are committed to doing what they can to improve the long term future of the patients in their care.

"While our main priority and area of expertise is in providing immediate health care to our young patients, we must also advocate for their long term health and wellbeing," said Dr Adams.

"As a community, we have a responsibility to provide our children with the best possible future. Without community action, our patients may not have the future they deserve."

Dr Adams says the Environmental Group was formed to discuss and consider how staff can reduce energy use, minimise waste, increase recycling, and to a lesser extent, save on water use, without compromising the important work of the Hospital.

Despite only forming the committee less than a year ago, the Hospital has already made some simple yet effective changes.

"Positive changes are certainly underway. In the long term, we hope to make it part of our daily business to consider the impact our hospital has on the environment," said Dr Adams.

"If we can do it, other organisations can too."

Sydney Children’s Hospital has successfully undertaken the following initiatives, with plans to do more over the coming year:

• SCH’s paediatric operating theatres have systems in place to recycle plastic containers;
• coffee mugs are being sold at the Hospital café to reduce paper cup wastage;
• The monthly internal staff and family newsletter is now being printed in black and white. Printed copies have been halved and online reading is encouraged;
• The internal newsletter now contains practical monthly 'green' tips and education for readers, with the Hospital intranet often updating staff on 'green' related news;
• Staff are being educated on the importance of switching off computers before going home each day;
• All new printers are being set up for double sided printing;
• Showering facilities on campus are being advertised to staff, to encourage them to ride or walk to work;
• Ice machines have been installed in various locations to save water, while also providing a practical service for patients and families, and;
• More recycling bins and new recycling posters – designed by SCH patients - will be erected around the Hospital over the coming months.