THE upgrading of hospital heating and ventilation systems is one of many measures being adopted by 16 NHS trusts to reduce their carbon footprint.
A combined heat and power plant is to be installed and an energy awareness staff training programme will be included in the plans.

The NHS emits approximately one million tonnes of carbon each year and the scheme is geared to meeting the UK's 15% reduction target in annual C02 emissions.

The 16 NHS trusts taking part in the Carbon Trust scheme hope the energy-saving methods will collectively save £8m a year in energy costs and will reduce annual Co2 emissions by 64,000 tonnes.

Phase two of the NHS carbon management programme was launched on May 22 and will run until March 2008. During phase one of the scheme (which ran from October 2006 until March 2007), 10 UK NHS Trusts were tasked with cutting their annual carbon footprint by 15% or 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by joining the programme.

All NHS trusts are committed to the national target of a 15% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions but only 16 have been invited to take part in the scheme but more may be involved in phase three.

The Carbon Trust's assessment and support, including training is free of charge, but the NHS project leader must give two days a week to the 10 month scheme's implementation.