Wat-er success! ED's H20 switch benefits patients, visitors and staff
PICTURED: Josh Walters, Emergency Department assistant, shows the jugs now used across the service.
Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) has tapped into wide-ranging benefits after changing its water supply for patients.
Patients in ED are now being offered water in jugs instead of bottled water in a bid to cut waste and prevent unnecessary spending.
Bottled water is only provided for patients in special circumstances, like barrier nursing or high consequence infectious disease.
Health Care Support Worker Ian Booth has been among the staff leading the change in ED.
Ian said: “This has been a really positive change within ED, because it’s not only helping our patients but staff too.
“Installing a tap specifically for the supply of cold water means patients have fresh, cold water to drink in the jugs provided rather than bottled water. If they prefer, patients can still buy bottled water in vending machines within the waiting area.
PICTURED: Health Care Support Worker Ian Booth.
“Patients have told us that they felt better looked after, and of course there’s major benefits to us in terms of cutting down our waste.
“We’ve placed jugs with lids in the waiting area too to ensure visitors also have access to water.
“The change in water supply has also benefited our staff as they have easy access to it.”
Emergency Department Consultant Sue West-Jones, who is one of three Sustainable Clinical Leads within Swansea Bay, has also been part of the project.
Dr West-Jones said: “This has been a really beneficial project as it means we are now supplying fresh water for our patients and staff, while at the same time looking after our environment and finances.
“The project identified simple yet very effective changes which have a big effect on the waste we produced along with the finances used to purchase bottled water.
“In ED we are passionate about looking after our patients, planet and health board purse, and positive changes like this highlights the efforts that staff and the service are making.
“We are also very grateful to both the British Red Cross and Hospital Voluntary team for their support in helping us make this change.”
The switch from bottled water has already proved a success, with 2,710 tonnes CO2e emissions savings the equivalent of 1,178 heart bypass operations.
It will also save the health board over £13,500 a year.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.