Huntly occupational therapist wins NHS Grampian sustainability award
A Huntly health worker has won an award for his inspiring sustainability habits.
Occupational therapist Scott Harrison was recognised for setting a good example across NHS Grampian and the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership with his e-bike use and efforts to keep electricity use to a minimum.
Scott, who works at the Jubilee Hospital and in the community, helps get patients back on their feet following illness, injury or surgery.
The occupational therapist, who re-soles his own shoes, secured e-bike use for hospital staff after drawing inspiration from his own enjoyable commutes.
He was nominated for an NHS Grampian Green Star Award by four colleagues, who said he inspired them to do their bit.
“It’s a complete surprise,” the health worker said.
Adding that he regularly tells colleagues to turn off screens, to unplug devices, and encourages them to go for walks, Scott said: “It’s very nice to be recognised for being a bit of a pain to the team.
“It’s a very nice compliment.
“Being green just seems to make sense to me.
“Even if you don’t believe in climate change, you’re stopping pollutants going into the air in local towns so in a way you’re looking after the local population’s health.
“You're winning from a saving energy perspective and a cost perspective so it just seems to be common sense to me.”
Scott said that exercise was an important part of the work day.
“I enjoy the physical aspect of cycling and walking – it's an easy way of keeping fit,” he added.
“After a long day at work you don’t really want to exercise but if you’ve cycled there or done some walking at work you feel you’ve got some exercise.
“It’s nice when you hit the golden hour of sunset and the sun is coming through the trees on the way home – it’s just a really nice way of switching off from the stresses of work.
“I promote the e-bike to everybody.
“It’s like being five years old again – you can’t help but smile!”
NHS Grampian’s Green Star Awards were introduced this year to help recognise the positive actions of staff on climate change.
Waste manager at NHS Grampian, Neil Duncan presented Scott with his award.
“If every member of staff did what Scott does, we have the potential to save up to 10 per cent of our carbon emissions and costs - just through good housekeeping,” he said.
“That means switching things off and recycling or reducing waste when you can.
“Those savings could go back into patient care or health promotion and it would help the environment.
“Our strength is greater in numbers.”
Scott’s colleague Elsa Szekely, along with three others, nominated him for the away.
The occupational therapy support worker said: “Scott is very passionate about the environment and it’s always infectious when someone feels strongly about something.
“But he actually puts his money where his mouth is.
“Even when we’re sorting things out, if there’s some files that need disposing of, he’ll say: ‘Oh, I’ll strip them back and take them home and make sure they go in the right recycling’.
“It's become a culture in the office.
“There's times when you don’t really feel like doing it but because that culture is there it keeps you motivated.”
