THE trusts running hospitals in the county are not on course to meet government targets on reducing carbon emissions.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust are both at risk of failing to meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions, according to analysis by Newsquest's Data Investigations Unit.

Both trusts say they have introduced measures to cut its carbon footprint including encouraging staff to cycle and use electric cars as well as using LED light bulbs and centralised printers but are still on course to fall short of the government's target.

The health and care trust's sustainable development management plan (SDMP) – which sets out how it would reduce its carbon emissions – sets a target of reducing them by 28 per cent by 2020.

Further targets include a 50 per cent reduction by 2025 and 90 per cent reduction by 2050.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said its sustainable development management plan was currently under review.

“Whenever carrying out any capital or maintenance works we consider the sustainable impact they have and continually review how we can reduce our energy consumption whilst still prioritising patient care.

“We have introduced a number of changes including centralised printers to reduce unnecessary printing and LED light bulbs as well as actively encouraging any of our contractors to use energy efficient technology and equipment.”

A spokesman for Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said it was committed to reducing its impact on the planet and the local environment.

The trust said it had invested in a number of projects to reduce energy consumption including; installation of solar panels, LED lighting and improved insulation on a number of our community hospitals and buildings and has encouraged staff to cycle to work, car share and has piloted the use of an electric car for out-of-hours community nurses in Bromsgrove.

The spokesman said: "The trust continues to replace less efficient equipment including heaters and boilers and has introduced water saving anti-ligature taps across sites.

“Due to a changing portfolio of sites and services across Worcestershire, it is difficult to predict the exact outcome of these changes on the trust’s carbon footprint; however we remain committed to reducing our energy consumption and minimising our impact on the environment.”