By NICOLE VALICEK
THE Federal Government’s carbon tax has cost Western Health an estimated $384,000 in extra energy costs over the past six months, according to Victoria Health Minister David Davis.
Mr Davis said a detailed analysis by the Department of Health of the energy consumption of the health organisation, that incorporated carbon emissions and the carbon price, found 17 per cent of the energy cost of Western Health was attributed to the carbon price.
“The Federal Government’s carbon tax means our hospitals are having to spend more money funding power rather than patients,” Mr Davis said.
A spokesperson for Western Health said the figure was the estimated cost impact to the health organisation.
“The bulk of this figure is represented by rise in the cost of energy and the expectation is that this six month figure will be replicated in the next six months,” the spokesperson said.
“Western Health acknowledges that its operations and services impact on the environment and contribute to climate change.”
“We therefore strive to adopt best practice systems and processes to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise environmental impact as we continue to maximise patient outcomes.”
The spokesperson said they were committed to reducing energy usage.
To date, they have applied timers to equipment such a zip boil kettles that do not need to operate out of hours; added aerators to tap ware to reduce hot water demand and replaced equipment with more energy efficient options.
“We are currently in preliminary stages of entering an energy performance contract (EPC) that will see our emissions profile reduce by up to 25 per cent in the next couple of years.”
Mr Davis said to date the carbon tax had cost the Victorian public healthcare system $6.7 million in the six months to the end of December.
