Local ambulance service 'Energy Wise' campaign makes HSJ Efficiency Awards 2012 shortlist

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's (SCAS) 'Energy Wise' campaign has been shortlisted in the 'Energy Efficiency' category of the coveted Health Service Journal (HSJ) Efficiency Awards 2012. For 120 years HSJ has served the leadership of Britain's health services. It is the only title to cover the planning, organisation, financing and performance of all aspects of the NHS at national and local level.

All finalists in the 15 award categories have demonstrated exceptional cost savings and efficiencies, without sacrificing their impeccably high standards of patient care. Winners
will be announced at the London Lancaster Hotel, Park Lane on 25 September.

SCAS's Energy Wise campaign seeks to raise organisational awareness of the efficient use of energy by its entire staff towards reducing the trust's carbon footprint and the environmental impact we have across the 3554 square miles we operate within.

From 2010 SCAS has succeeded in reducing our carbon footprint by 10% per year and in achieving savings of £436,795 (Fleet) and £150,317 (Utilities). With the help of our 73 Green Team Champions and buy in from all our staff the trust is developing an image of being environmentally aware and by reducing our carbon footprint to improve air quality we are helping to reduce the incidence of respiratory illness amongst the 4 million people we serve across 4 counties.

SCAS Green Team Co-ordinator Brian Miller said: 'I am delighted that the work we are doing locally to reduce our carbon footprint and to improve health has been recognised as a national example of best practice. To have come this far in just 2 years since we started this initiative is a remarkable accolade for the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment, not only of our 73 Green Team Champions, but of all our staff.'

Apart from SCAS the other finalists in the 'Energy Efficiency' category (sponsored by British Gas) are Barts Health NHS Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derbyshire Community Health
Services NHS Trust, Royal United Hospital, Bath NHS Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and St George's Healthcare NHS Trust.

Only one other England ambulance service has made the awards shortlist - South East
Coast Ambulance Service Foundation Trust in the Workforce Efficiency and Efficiency in Estates Management categories. Scottish Ambulance Service has been shortlisted in the Efficiency in Transportation and Logistics category.