TWO Wee County GP practices are set to go green as part of a wider plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across the NHS.

Clackmannan Health Centre and Tullibody Health Centre are two of 13 primary care premises in NHS Forth Valley that will receive a share of just under £2 million of funding.

This funding, from the Green Public Sector Estate De-Carbonisation Scheme (GPSEDS), will aim to support the delivery of NHS Forth Valley’s net-zero targets.

The funding will directly finance the installation of more thermally efficient glazing, solar roof panels, insulation, LED lighting and electric boilers.

Building management systems will be upgraded at those sites to improve the control of heating and cooling systems using digital technology that will allow remote access from multiple devices.

Derek Jarvie, head of climate change and sustainability at NHS Forth Valley, said: “Increasing the energy efficiency of local healthcare facilities across Forth Valley is a key priority as this will not only cut energy bills and generate income but will also help reduce carbon emissions.

“This work is just one of a wide range of initiatives underway to reduce waste, use more environmentally friendly products and deliver greener, more sustainable services in our efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

“The works will also see improvements to greenspace around Stenhousemuir Health Centre funded by the contractor.

“This will support the health and wellbeing of staff on-site and people in the local community, as well as encouraging greater biodiversity.”

The NHS reports that financial savings from making these changes are estimated to be around £59,000 each year, underpinned by an additional £30,000 per year income from electricity generated by the new on-site solar panels.

This ensures NHS Forth Valley continues to work towards targets set out by NHS Scotland’s Climate Emergency & Sustainability Strategy.

Other initiatives will include discontinuing certain anaesthetic gases in operating theatres which contribute to global warming, reduce packaging waste and increase the use of reusable equipment.

Work is also underway to reduce food waste from patient meals, switch to an electric vehicle fleet and reduce the use of single-use products.