UHG wins ‘BIG Switch Off’ Energy Saving Award

University Hospital Galway was named winner of the ‘BIG Switch Off’ competition for a staff awareness campaign during the month of October and the reduction of energy consumption over the October bank holiday weekend last year.

The annual ‘BIG Switch Off’ competition is organised by the Office of Public Works in partnership with HSE Estates with the aim of changing the approach to energy usage and to conserve as much electrical and thermal energy as possible in participating hospitals during the October bank holiday.

In total 8 hospitals throughout Ireland took part in the ‘BIG Switch Off’. In addition to UHG, the other participating hospitals were Cork University Hospital, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, Our Lady’s Hospital Navan, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, University Hospital Waterford and Cavan General Hospital.

At an event in Collins Barrack, Dublin on Wednesday 22 January, UHG was announced the winner.

Speaking of the win, Ms Chris Kane, Hospital General Manager said, “In the run up to the October bank holiday weekend last year the hospital held a number of awareness events to encourage behavioural changes in energy usage which culminated in the “BIG Switch Off”. The results for UHG were impressive with a 10% reduction in energy consumption over the October Bank Holiday weekend as a result of everyone making an extra effort to switch off non-essential equipment and lights. The competition highlighted simple energy saving tips and demonstrated the cumulative impact of many small individual actions.

Marion Grady, Environmental and Waste Management Co-ordinator at UHG added, “We’re delighted to be named the National winners of ‘The BIG Switch Off’ competition. The project has brought about real cultural and behavioural changes in the hospital with staff now approaching the Energy Team with ideas for other sustainability projects.”

Photo caption:
At the presentation of the BIG Switch Off award to UHG for energy savings, from left: Hilary Boyle, Maintenance Department GUH; Edelle Doherty, Energy Officer, HSE West Estates Department; Connor Clarke, Senior Engineer, OPW; Marion Grady, Environmental and Waste Management Coordinator GUH; Billy Reilly, Maintenance Department GUH; and Annette McCabe, Projects Manager, Services Department GUH.