Ramsay Newsroom

The new 318 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system will save more than 437 tonnes of carbon emissions and 1.414 gigajoules of energy every year.

Shepparton Private Hospital CEO, Rhys Jones, said he was proud the hospital was tackling climate change through meaningful sustainability initiatives.

“Saving more than 6,300 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime, this system is the equivalent of taking 105 cars off the road,” Mr Jones said.

“Installing solar panels is just the latest in a list of practical actions we’ve taken to protect the environment and create a more sustainable hospital for the future.”

Another initiative the hospital has made recently is the move to ‘greener theatres’. 

Anaesthetists at Shepparton Private have almost completely stopped using the anaesthetic gas called desflurane, reported to have more than 20 times the global warming potential of alternative gases1. Instead, anaesthetists have made the switch to the more environmentally friendly gas ‘sevoflurane’ when preparing patients for surgery in a bid to help protect the planet.

“We’ve managed to almost completely cut out the use of desflurane, switching to alternatives with a much lower carbon cost,” Mr Jones said. 

Shepparton Private Hospital is also proudly supporting Ramsay Health Care’s goal to remove 75 million single-use plastic items from sites before the end of the year. 

Ramsay Health Care’s sustainability strategy focuses on creating stronger communities, healthier people and a thriving planet. 

Ramsay Health Care is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Ramsay’s Net Zero strategies included switching to renewable energy sources and maximising energy efficiency, reducing anaesthetic gas emissions, cutting waste and boosting recycling, embedding sustainable design in new facilities and upgrades, as well as engaging with suppliers to reduce supply chain emissions.

1 https://www.tra2sh.org/refuse-desflurane