Energy needs due to the pandemic – Hospitals
With the energy of hospitals becoming increasingly essential due to multiple factors during the pandemic, there is also increasing pressure to ensure that the energy produced for hospitals in the UK is sustainable.
What are the key factors and how does this relate to Covid-19?
Increased staff
The pandemic has resulted in pressure on the government for hiring more NHS and this has meant a requirement for more energy use due to factors such as increased computer access and air conditioning.
With an increase of information being shared and an increase of topics being about climate change, industries are becoming more comfortable about changing their lifestyle to become more sustainable. The pressure on the government to ensure the NHS is acting sustainably has meant that the increase in staff must result in monitored energy use, from sustainable energy sources.
Increased patients
The treatment and comfort of these patients has also been prioritised during the pandemic due to the pressures of covid-19 patients and avoiding covid infections within hospitals. The heating and air conditioning for hospitals has been essential for ensuring a safe recovering for covid-19 patients and as a result has a been a large focus for hospitals. Furthermore, with an ever-increasing population and number of hospitals being used, the energy used for hospitals in the UK is rapidly increasing.
Increased research
Research in laboratories based in hospitals have been increased due to the pressures of covid-19 as well as other paramount illnesses, such as the Zika virus. This has meant more facilities have been used for staff, storage, and experiments, emphasising the pressure of ensuring the correct temperatures throughout extensive buildings.
Increase in relating illnesses eg. Mental illness
Treatment and storage for medications of other medications has relied heavily on assurance for consistent and reliant energy. With many patients being postponed for treatment, such as blood transfusion, hospitals are reliant on vast levels of energy.
Furthermore, there has been an increase in many illnesses relating to the lockdown, particularly relating to mental illnesses and substance abuse. This rise in inpatients has meant that facilities’ energy use has increased beyond the interest of keeping covid-19 patients comfortable and treated.
Increase in deliveries
In the lockdown, there has not only been an increase for postage deliveries, but also a baby boom amongst young families. Within midwifery wards the reliance for efficient energy has been paramount and the level of energy soured in order to ensure women in the ward are being given the right care for themselves and newborns.
