Pittwater Life August 2018 Issue

‘G’ IS FOR GREEN STAR: NB Hospital’s Director of Operations Pat Taurins.
Other smart energy strategies
include optimising the
orientation of buildings to
minimise unnecessary heat
from the sun and setting up
an extensive electricity and
water metering and reporting
system to track and manage
consumption.
High efficiency fittings
and equipment have been
installed throughout – even
the $3.5 million worth of
sterilising equipment was selected
with the environment
in mind.
“The washers save 30 litres
of water per load, over a year
that’s 50 Olympic sized pools
worth of water that can be
used to water the landscaping
around the hospital,” Mr
Taurins added.
Internationally recognised
advocate and change agent for
sustainability and outstanding
member of the Pittwater
community who also happens
to be the CEO of the Green
Building Council of Australia,
Romilly Madew, described the
hospital’s 4 Star Green Star
certification as a “tremendous
achievement”.
“When it starts operating,
Northern Beaches Hospital
will be a leading sustainable
healthcare facility,” Ms Madew
said.
She said having such a
facility in her local area was
“fantastic”.
“It illustrates to the community
that government has
committed to sustainability
leadership and take not only
their care but costs seriously,”
she said.
“With three active kids I
have had my fair share of
trips to hospital… and not
just from those experiences I
know how important it is that
we design these buildings to
be great places to be in.
“No-one wants to be in a
hospital, so let’s make sure
we make them as good as we
can, both to get out as fast
as we can, but also to make a
difficult time less so.”
Ms Madew explained investments
in improved energy
and water performance lower
operating costs resulting
in more money that can be
directed to patient care.
“There is more than two decades
of compelling evidence
demonstrating that green design
not only makes hospitals
more energy-efficient – it also
has huge benefits for patients,
medical staff, general staff,
visitors and the wider community,”
she said.
There is also evidence
green design can help reduce
hospital stays and improve
patient outcomes.
Ms Madew referred to
research from the World
Green Building Council which
showed that incorporating
green design in hospital
infrastructure could deliver
an 8.5% reduction in hospital
stays, 15% faster recovery
rates, a 22% reduction in the
need for pain medication and
an 11% reduction in secondary
infections.
For staff, a green hospital
Continued on page 21
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The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2018 11