Australia's hospitals should switch to safer, cheaper clean energy as part of a nationwide health response to climate change, experts say.
An all-electric hospital would use 100 per cent renewable energy - not gas or diesel - for heating, cooking, hot water and sterilising medical tools.
Proponents say micro-grids, on-site renewable energy generation and battery storage for back-up power would make hospitals better equipped to handle extreme weather events as well as reducing running costs.
The model for nationwide adaptation has the backing of independent federal MPs Sophie Scamps, Helen Haines, Monique Ryan, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender and Senator David Pocock.
They want the initiative made a priority as part of Australia's broader climate change and health strategy.
Healthy hospitals campaigner Ursula Alquier said feasibility studies for the pilot hospitals would lay the groundwork for facilities across the country.
"The health sector not only faces significant emissions from outdated energy systems, but also needs climate resilience in the face of extreme weather events," she said.
Gas-burning systems in hospitals can release harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, both of which have been linked to serious respiratory and other health issues.
Locking hospitals into using gas also exposes them to volatile pricing. Going electric means hospitals could use cost savings for more healthcare services, according to proponents.
The broad concept of an all-electric facility has also been embraced in planning for Adelaide's new Women's and Children's Hospital.
The purpose-built hospital will be connected to an electricity source that is either supplied from the grid or through on-site electricity generation and storage, rather than through the state's gas network.
The nationwide adaption plan has the support of key medical organisations, including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal Australasian Colleges of Physicians and the Australian College for Emergency Medicine.
It also has the endorsement of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Doctors for the Environment Australia, the Climate and Health Alliance and the Australian Federation of Medical Women.
The health and climate experts say electrifying hospitals is critical for more sustainable facilities as well as net-zero targets, with Australia's healthcare sector responsible for seven per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.
The plan aims to determine the best ways of retrofitting metro, regional, rural and remote facilities - for everyday electricity use as well as during power outages and catastrophic events.
Under the proposal, an Electric Hospital Retrofit Program could begin with $1.5 million in the next federal budget for feasibility studies at nine selected hospitals.
PROPOSED RETROFIT HOSPITALS:
* Echuca Regional Health (VIC)
* Kurri Kurri Hospital (NSW)
* Blue Mountains Hospital (NSW)
* Modbury Hospital (SA)
* New Norfolk District Hospital (TAS)
* Redland Hospital (QLD)
* Gove District Hospital (NT)
* Broome Health Campus (WA)
