Southern is committed to reducing our environmental impact. We believe sustainability is everyone’s responsibility and aim to empower, engage and educate our people and local communities to make sustainable choices by setting the example.
Our approach to environmental sustainability aims to meet community and staff expectations by delivering personalised, effective, appropriate and safe care whilst supporting and undertaking environmentally and financially sustainable practices.
Our District Sustainability Committee and Sustainability Champions Network drive and support our ongoing commitment. Southern is undertaking initiatives against four areas; Assets and Utilities, Waste, Clinical Care and Engagement and Procurement and Fleet.
Our progress:
- We are progressing the transition to LED lighting as part of redevelopments, target replacements and business as usual asset management program.
- 18 tonnes of food waste from Goulburn, Queanbeyan, and Batemans Bay hospitals were diverted from landfill last financial year, in a partnership with biofertiliser supplier Food2Soil.
- A Queanbeyan Hospital textile recycling trial has successfully diverted 150 kg of unwanted uniforms from landfill in a recycling partnership to transform them into basic polyester and cellulose fibres.
- We have initiated electrifying our passenger vehicle fleet, recently welcoming our first electric vehicle.
- A District-wide ‘Gloves Off Campaign’ in August saw a significant reduction in glove use. Wearing non-sterile examination gloves only when required saves excess waste from landfill.
Our Perioperative Departments were recognised at Southern’s Excellence Awards for their efforts in transitioning from intravenous to oral paracetamol. Oral paracetamol produces less waste than intravenous paracetamol, whilst maintaining analgesic efficacy.