Caring for Patients and the Planet: Wirral Hospitals Mark Earth Day with Eco-Friendly Projects

Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) is celebrating Earth Day (22nd April) with fresh sustainability initiatives that enhance patient care while benefiting the planet.  

WUTH is taking a major step toward a more energy-efficient future, cutting carbon emissions and lowering operational costs while reducing energy consumption by 2.4 million kWh per year - enough to power hundreds of homes. This change, made possible by funding from NHS England’s National Energy Efficiency Fund (NEEF), will replace 5,000 fluorescent lights with high-efficiency LEDs at Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals.  

Patients, visitors, and staff will also enjoy cleaner air, thriving biodiversity, and peaceful outdoor areas thanks to the 50 new trees planted at Clatterbridge Hospital. These include fruit-bearing varieties and native species like rowan, hazel, and crab-apple, supporting both environmental health and wellbeing. This effort, spearheaded by the Grounds and Sustainability Teams in partnership with the NHS Forest initiative, is transforming hospital grounds into vibrant green spaces.  

Matthew Williams, Head of Sustainability, Energy, and Compliance, at the Trust said: “We know that healthy environments support healthy lives. From sustainable building design to energy conservation and green spaces, we are committed to ensuring a healthier future for both our community and the planet.”  

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “We are committed to lowering carbon emissions at our hospitals. Teams across the organisation are continually looking at how we can work in a more energy efficient way.”

Improving air quality is a priority, and WUTH is working with Wirral Council and Liverpool John Moores University to better understand pollution levels at Arrowe Park Hospital. By analysing the impact of traffic, this study will generate insights that drive future improvements - helping to create a safer, healthier environment for all.  

Since its launch in 1970, Earth Day has grown into the world’s largest civic movement, with over a billion participants each year.