With a vision to be carbon neutral by 2045, our local hospital and community NHS Trust is determined to more than play its part in reducing emissions. Having opened thirty nine electric vehicle charging points for its staff and visitors, across its two largest hospitals in 2021, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s wholly owned subsidiary, Synchronicity Care Limited, is now in the process of replacing its fleet vehicles with electric vans.
Portering and transport manager, Ronnie Nicholson, said, “Our seven smaller vehicles are constantly on the road, covering 615,000 miles each year, travelling between our eight sites across the large geographic area of County Durham and Darlington. They support patient care and local communities by delivering & collecting test samples to and from our laboratories, medicines for our patients and other items vital to the smooth running of our services such as PPE.
“Our team of drivers also use the vans to visit every GP practice across County Durham and Darlington, collecting patient samples, ensuring they’re tested without delay, facilitation diagnosis and treatments. This is essential activity. However, reducing its environmental impact is a priority.
“I’m delighted we’ve now received the first two of seven electric vehicles. Unfortunately, we’ve experienced the delays being felt across the automotive industry but expect to take delivery of the remainder in the near future. We have a rapid charging point at Darlington Memorial Hospital for the exclusive use of our fleet and whilst reducing environmental impact is our main objective, the ever-increasing cost of fuel and the potential savings involved was an influencing factor in this transition.”
For further information please contact:Jill Foggin, Communications Officer
email: jill.foggin@nhs.net
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
