Broome Health Campus has joined nine hospitals nationwide calling for the Federal Government to take the first step in investing in a safer, more secure and affordable supply of energy for our vital health infrastructure.
The All-Electric Healthy Hospitals Campaign – which brings together representatives from over 100,000 health professionals, health organisations, medical colleges and policymakers is calling for the Federal Government to use this Federal Budget to invest $1.5 million in a feasibility study – the first critical step in identifying how hospitals can transition to reliable, renewable energy without disruption to patient care.
Lauren Kite Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Broome Health Campus, one of the nine sites for the proposed study, said: "Diesel generators keep our hospital running when power disruptions happen, but they're expensive, polluting and not a sustainable long-term option."
"The cost of fuel alone takes resources away from patient care. Investing in renewable energy and battery storage would provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for hospitals like ours."
Ursula Alquier, Healthy Hospitals Campaigner for Healthy Futures said: "For over a year, we've been speaking with hospitals from across the country, and many have told us they're struggling with aging infrastructure, rising fuel costs and backup power systems that are unreliable in a crisis.
"Hospitals can't afford to gamble with power failures. That's why these hospitals see the benefits of going all-electric, to ensure they have reliable, resilient energy when they need it most. Feasibility studies will lay the groundwork for this transition, identifying the best solutions for different hospital types so they can keep the lights on and continue delivering care in an emergency."
"The 2025/2026 budget is a defining moment. Will the government invest in hospitals' energy resilience to ensure they can withstand disasters—or will it leave them vulnerable to the next blackout?"
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