Light Bulb Scrimping In Hospital Crazy - Brake

12.58.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Feb 2007

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed that staff have been ordered to remove light bulbs to save money.

Commenting, local MP for Carshalton & Wallington, Tom Brake said:

"This crazy move would be funny were it not so serious.

"It requires a very special brand of incompetence for ministers to treble funding in the health service and still leave hospitals short.

"If our hospitals are scrimping money on light bulbs, how can they afford the latest drugs and high quality patient care?

"Patients will be left scratching their heads in the dark about this bonkers idea."

Notes to Editors

A statement from the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said:

We can confirm that maintenance staff have removed some light bulbs from the main corridors and some communal areas in the Trust, as part of our financial recovery plan. No clinical areas will be affected by this initiative.

The Trust's electricity bill alone totals some £3m and it is imperative that we find ways to reduce this, as we have seen significant price hikes over the last year.

The Trust is looking into ways to improve energy efficiency. Funding has been allocated from the Strategic Health Authority to explore lighting and heating controls, and the Trust is bidding for further funds from the Department of Health to continue to explore ways to maximise energy efficiency.