NHS Board
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Contact
Alan Gallacher
Email
alan.gallacher@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Title
Installation of ‘Energy Efficient’ LED Lighting
Category
Estates and Facilities
Background/
context
There was a requirement at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in
Paisley to upgrade the lighting across the estate (approximately
27 buildings) with priority given to the main ward block (28 wards)
which was also the major user with highest ‘operational hours’.
The current lighting installation was starting to deteriorate
significantly with breakdowns becoming a regular occurrence,
lamps having to be continually replaced with the majority of the
current lamps in need of replacement. Due to the rules around
CFC gases and the limitations imposed around buying these ‘lamp’
types in the future, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde would need
to start to buy new ‘fittings’ at a considerable expense.
At the same time NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has significant
energy and carbon reduction targets to deliver to meet the
Scottish Government’s HEAT targets therefore a programme to
replace the current light fitting with new more energy efficient
‘LED’ fitting was undertaken in an effort to address the CFC gases,
energy and carbon issues.
Problem
The lighting previously installed was starting to deteriorate
significantly, old fittings were having to be replaced and because
of the increase in electricity costs nationally the operation of the
lights (many from 6am to 8pm) within the main ward block were
incurring higher costs.
Aim
To reduce both electricity consumption and carbon emissions,
address the CFC gas issue, whilst improving the overall lighting
levels within the wards.
Action taken
Installation of LED lighting in main ward block within the hospital.
Results
Patient experience
Lighting levels within the main ward block have increased
significantly and are now in accordance with national guidelines
for lighting in a healthcare environment. It has also been proven
that good lighting and improved lighting levels can contribute to
the overall health and wellbeing of patients.
Staff experience
The installation of this LED lighting has significantly improved the
working environment for staff in that the wards are now brighter,
look cleaner and bring a sense of ‘wellbeing’ to all within the
wards. The staff were involved and consulted during the
installation and also contributed by highlighting areas where
lighting levels were always ‘poor’ and where they may have had
difficulty working in. They also bought into the ‘green issues’ in
that the scheme would deliver good Co2 reduction.
Efficiency savings
and productive
gains
The ‘energy efficient’ LED lighting installation at the Royal
Alexandra Hospital is on track to save NHS Greater Glasgow and
Clyde more than £40,000 a year, reduce carbon emissions and
raising NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s sustainability
credentials.
The hospital has installed LED energy-efficient lighting in the main
ward block of the hospital in a phased approach and is expected
to produce annual savings of approximately £40,000.
Consumption is down by 206,513 kwh (over a six month period)
and the CO₂ footprint has reduced by 101 tonnes. This is the
equivalent of electricity consumption for 44 average family homes
for a year (as defined by the UK Department of Energy and
Climate Change).
The lighting levels in the ward block have now increased
substantially, improving significantly the overall hospital
environment for staff, patients and visitors.
It is expected that these savings will increase over the coming
year when a full year of the LED lighting being in operation can be
taken into account when analysing kWh consumption.
The table below shows the reduction since the works were
completed in July 2013.
2013/2014
kWh
CO2
August
810019 397
September 783436 384
October
831422 408
November 831871 408
December 860497 422
January
868631 426
2012/2013
kWh
CO2
842532 413
808667 397
859921 422
860462 422
903560 443
917245 450
Difference
kWh
Co2
-32514 -16
-25231 -12
-28499 -14
-28592 -14
-43063 -21
-48614 -24
206,513 101
Sustainability
This programme of LED replacement within the Royal Alexandra
Hospital is set to continue with the completion of the phased
installation within the main ward block and for planned
investment in other buildings within the site.
There is on site a ‘Greencode’ Group who look at the whole issue
and impact of ‘sustainability’ and they are aware and involved in
this scheme. It is also part of the site sustainability objectives.
Lessons learned
One of the biggest lessons learned was to involve staff in the
installation at all times as access to ‘operational wards’ is a
significant challenge. If they can see the benefits which will be
delivered to them and their patients the ease of access becomes
easier.
Additionally staff need to be aware that this type of project will
bring issues around lighting which they would not envisage. They
need to be aware that the project will deliver better lighting levels
and that it is not that the area is ‘over lit’ but that in the past the
areas have been ‘under lit’.