Surgeons lead push for $1.5 million hospital sustainability project

ESG: Australia’s healthcare sector contributes 7% of the country’s total emissions. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has joined calls for the Australian Government to fund feasibility studies for the electrification of nine hospitals across Australia.

Healthy Futures, alongside leading health and climate experts, is urging the government to commit $1.5 million in the 2025/2026 budget to fund the project.

The proposal is supported by Federal MPs Dr Sophie Scamps, Dr Helen Haines, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender, Dr Monique Ryan and Senator David Pocock and seeks to pilot the Electric Hospital Retrofit Program across nine hospitals in VIC, NT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and WA.

These hospitals will undergo feasibility studies to estimate costs, savings and emissions reductions, serving as a model for nationwide adaptation. Given the diversity of hospital types, locations and services in Australia, the studies will offer critical insights, helping to prioritise future electrification efforts and ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

Dr Benjamin Dunne, Chair of the RACS Environmental Sustainability in Surgical Practice Working Party, said “RACS fully endorses this proposal to develop solutions to remove fossil gas supply from our hospitals. The health hazards of fossil fuels should be of great concern to all health professionals and we must rapidly transition to renewable energy for the health of Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and worldwide.”

Ursula Alquier, Healthy Hospitals Campaigner, stated “Electrifying hospitals is critical to meeting Australia’s net zero targets. The health sector not only faces significant emissions from outdated energy systems, but also needs climate resilience in the face of extreme weather events. This pilot program is the first step toward creating safer, healthier and more sustainable healthcare facilities across the country.”

In related news, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP, has recently established an expert advisory group to tackle the health impacts of climate change which includes representatives from Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) and Medicines Australia.

RACS has committed to working with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control and other Australian medical colleges to develop low-emissions models of care and support the health workforce to lead the health system response to climate change.

In a joint statement they said they are committed to supporting clinicians to deliver high-value care that protects and promotes health in a changing climate. This includes training and supporting clinicians, particularly junior doctors, to request only appropriate tests and treatments and prescribe medicines safely and appropriately. 

Key Hospitals in the Electric Hospital Retrofit Program:

• EchucaRegional Health (VIC)
• GoveDistrict Hospital (NT)
• BroomeHealth Campus (WA)
• Kurri Kurri Hospital (NSW)
• BlueMountains Hospital (NSW)
• Modbury Hospital (SA)
• NewNorfolk District Hospital (TAS)
• Redland Hospital (QLD)

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