Sligo University Hospital Awarded An Taisce Green Flag

Sligo University Hospital has been awarded the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ and becomes the second hospital in the country to attain the award from An Taisce and the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).

The internationally recognised ‘Green Flag’ was awarded following a rigorous assessment process and recognises the commitment of hospital management and staff, HSE Estates, the NUI Galway Medical Academy and the hospital’s Green Campus Committee in developing the hospital as a healthcare facility that delivers high quality care, improved public health and wellbeing in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

The hospital applied to join An Taisce Green Campus Programme in December 2016. The ‘Green Flag’ award is the result of 4 years of improvements in environmental management which reduced energy and waste and increased recycling levels. Some of the achievements include:

Reduction in energy consumption by 18% since 2016.

Promoting waste reduction through recycling and reuse initiatives, educational campaigns promoting awareness of the correct segregation of waste, reducing single use cups and containers and introducing creative solutions to divert waste from landfill.

Establishing walking routes around the hospital grounds and surrounds to link health awareness to sustainability, with support from Healthy Ireland and IT Sligo students.

Organising a sustainability seminar for staff and students in partnership with IT Sligo, HSE Estates and the HSE National Health Sustainability Office.

Dr Michael John O’Mahony, Director of An Taisce Environmental Education Unit, congratulated the Sligo University Hospital Green Campus Committee and said, “The commitment of the Green Campus Committee is clearly evident from the excellent and established initiatives taking place. Particular strengths in the programme include food waste prevention and the extensive engagement with the wider community. We are delighted to acknowledge and recognise Sligo University Hospital on their Green-Campus journey”.

Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager said, “Here in Sligo University Hospital we are adopting a multi-faceted approach to address sustainability issues, while maintaining a healthy, green and comfortable environment for patients and staff. We are committed to delivering environmentally responsible quality healthcare into the future by developing staff, patient and public awareness of sustainability issues. We have a very active Green Campus Committee; however, it is only with the support of all the staff in the hospital and indeed our patients and visitors too, that we are able to make an impact. We are delighted to be awarded the Green Flag in recognition of the efforts of all involved and to keep us motivated on our sustainability journey.

“To mark the launch of the hospital’s Green Flag we welcome the roll out of Sligo Tidy Towns and Sligo Grammar School transition year initiative to support litter picking on the hospital grounds. This initiative is one of a number of green campus projects in our sustainability action plan.”

Shane Campbell, HSE Estate Manager North West said, “HBS Estates are delighted to have supported Sligo University Hospital in attaining the Green Flag for the Campus, the close collaboration between Estates, the hospital and NUI Galway has achieved significant savings in Energy and Waste Management. We look forward to achieving the same at Letterkenny University Hospital in the near future.”

Sligo University Hospital has been awarded the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ and becomes the second hospital in the country to attain the award from An Taisce and the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).

The internationally recognised ‘Green Flag’ was awarded following a rigorous assessment process and recognises the commitment of hospital management and staff, HSE Estates, the NUI Galway Medical Academy and the hospital’s Green Campus Committee in developing the hospital as a healthcare facility that delivers high quality care, improved public health and wellbeing in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

The hospital applied to join An Taisce Green Campus Programme in December 2016. The ‘Green Flag’ award is the result of 4 years of improvements in environmental management which reduced energy and waste and increased recycling levels. Some of the achievements include:

Reduction in energy consumption by 18% since 2016.

Promoting waste reduction through recycling and reuse initiatives, educational campaigns promoting awareness of the correct segregation of waste, reducing single use cups and containers and introducing creative solutions to divert waste from landfill.

Establishing walking routes around the hospital grounds and surrounds to link health awareness to sustainability, with support from Healthy Ireland and IT Sligo students.

Organising a sustainability seminar for staff and students in partnership with IT Sligo, HSE Estates and the HSE National Health Sustainability Office.

Dr Michael John O’Mahony, Director of An Taisce Environmental Education Unit, congratulated the Sligo University Hospital Green Campus Committee and said, “The commitment of the Green Campus Committee is clearly evident from the excellent and established initiatives taking place. Particular strengths in the programme include food waste prevention and the extensive engagement with the wider community. We are delighted to acknowledge and recognise Sligo University Hospital on their Green-Campus journey”.

Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager said, “Here in Sligo University Hospital we are adopting a multi-faceted approach to address sustainability issues, while maintaining a healthy, green and comfortable environment for patients and staff. We are committed to delivering environmentally responsible quality healthcare into the future by developing staff, patient and public awareness of sustainability issues. We have a very active Green Campus Committee; however, it is only with the support of all the staff in the hospital and indeed our patients and visitors too, that we are able to make an impact. We are delighted to be awarded the Green Flag in recognition of the efforts of all involved and to keep us motivated on our sustainability journey.

“To mark the launch of the hospital’s Green Flag we welcome the roll out of Sligo Tidy Towns and Sligo Grammar School transition year initiative to support litter picking on the hospital grounds. This initiative is one of a number of green campus projects in our sustainability action plan.”

Shane Campbell, HSE Estate Manager North West said, “HBS Estates are delighted to have supported Sligo University Hospital in attaining the Green Flag for the Campus, the close collaboration between Estates, the hospital and NUI Galway has achieved significant savings in Energy and Waste Management. We look forward to achieving the same at Letterkenny University Hospital in the near future.”

Photo Caption:
Patricia Lee, Services Manager, Sligo University Hospital with Michael O'Brien, Energy Officer, HSE Estates raising the recently awarded Green Flag at the hospital.