Smart Energy GB teams up with NHS Employers and the Sustainable Development Unit to help NHS workers benefit from smart meters
Smart Energy GB, the voice of Britain’s smart meter rollout, has teamed up with NHS Employers to spread the word about the benefits of smart meters to the 1.3 million people employed by the NHS.
To coincide with NHS Sustainability Day on 23rd March, NHS Employers and the Sustainable Development Unit, which leads on embedding principles of sustainable development into health and social care, are helping their staff to save money through more environmentally friendly practices at work and at home. This will include giving information on how people can get their smart meters, at no extra cost, from their energy supplier, and to start using them to keep track of gas and electricity use at home.
Everyone in Britain can get a smart meter, at no extra cost, from their energy supplier. They provide accurate meter readings, bringing an end to estimated bills, and show customers what they are spending in pounds and pence, in near real time.
Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:
“Eight in ten people with smart meters have taken action to reduce energy use at home. Energy conscious employers who care about the environment know that when employees have good energy use habits at home, they’re likely to bring those attitudes to work. And vice versa.
“We’re delighted to be working with NHS Employers to share the benefits of smart meters with NHS staff. They’re joining other employers getting involved with Britain’s national energy upgrade by encouraging staff to go greener by getting the gas and electricity in their homes under control with a smart meter.”
Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers, said:
“We’re extremely pleased to be supporting Smart Energy GB’s initiative to help NHS staff become more energy conscious, which we also hope will help them save money on their bills.
“Our Get Energy Smart campaign includes toolkits, infographics, posters, podcasts and blogs to help organisations raise awareness of the measures staff can take to save energy at home and at work.
“Energy efficiency measures across the NHS have already saved £1.85bn since 2007 and we’re keen to make even more progress.
Jerome Baddley, Head of Unit for the Sustainable Development Unit, added:
“Energy efficiency cuts cost and waste, protects health, and reduces immediate and long term pollution. Average home energy bills are over £1,300 a year; the annual NHS energy bill is £560m. Affordable warmth at home keeps us all healthier and safer; whilst lower NHS energy bills helps more money go directly patient care. Being more energy conscious, both at home and work, helps achieve these improvements in savings and care whilst protecting the environment and health now and for future generations – good for our purse, good for patients and public, and good for planet.”
You can listen to the podcasts for NHS staff here.
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About Smart Energy GB
Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign is reaching all households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales.
About smart meters and the rollout
Smart meters replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use in pounds and pence, and greater control over the way we buy and use energy. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure.
Almost 5 million smart meters have already been installed in homes and microbusinesses, and between now and 2020 every household in England, Scotland and Wales will be offered one at no additional cost. Contact your energy supplier today about installing your smart meter.
About NHS Employers
NHS Employers is the voice of employers in the NHS, supporting them to put patients first. It supports employers across the NHS with pay and negotiations, recruitment and planning the workforce, employment policy and practice and support them to create healthy and productive workplaces.
About the NHS Sustainable Development Unit
The Sustainable Development Unit is a national unit based in Cambridge working on behalf of the health and care system in England. It was established in April 2008. It supports the NHS, public health and social care to embed and promote the three elements of sustainable development - environmental, social and financial.
The Unit is jointly funded by, and accountable to, NHS England and Public Health England to ensure that the health and care system fulfills its potential as a leading sustainable and low carbon service.
Smart Energy GB media contacts
For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:
Smart Energy GB:
[email protected]; 0203 019 1057 / 07739 659 895