\n \u201cWhen a single industrial consumer of this scale connects to a local distribution network, it creates voltage fluctuations, harmonic distortion and frequency instability that affect every consumer on the same network.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n She added that while this is an \u201cinconvenience\u201d for most, it could present as a \u201cpatient safety risk of the highest order\u201d for those reliant on sensitive medical equipment, including people in critical care, neonatal care and operating theatres.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mestre goes on to claim that these risks have not been independently assessed as part of the planning process \u2013 stressing that the pre-determination hearing for the data centre is on Wednesday.\n<\/p>\n
\n A spokesperson for Apatura said, meanwhile, that the proposed data centre \u201cwouldn’t share the hospital\u2019s electricity network\u201d and that connections of this scale are only made after stringent checks.\n<\/p>\n
\n But the NHS nurse also brought up a second \u201csignificant patient safety concern\u201d \u2013 the emissions from the proposed 200 industrial-scale diesel generators which would provide back-up to the data centre in case of a power failure or a lack of electricity.\n<\/p>\n
\n The site has been marked as likely to have a \u201cmajor adverse\u201d effect on operational and construction greenhouse gas emissions in its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).\n<\/p>\n
\n Interior of a data centre (Image: PA)\n<\/p>\n
\n Mestre said that routine testing could produce around 288 tonnes of NOx a year \u2013 a figure which Apatura rejected, saying that is \u201cassumes the generators are running far more than they ever would\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
\n The nurse went on say that the EIA \u201cfailed to mention what these emissions mean for patients, staff and vulnerable people\u201d at the hospital.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mestre went on: \u201cFVRH is a particularly sensitive receptor because it is a major acute hospital. The EIA assessment should therefore include patients with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, people receiving oxygen ventilation, critically ill patients, children, elderly patients and staff who may be exposed for prolonged periods.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n She concluded the email by calling on NHS Forth Valley to intervene before the planning hearing, including seeking an independent assessment of the potential impact on hospital grid resilience and carrying out its own assessments.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: New bullying and racism allegations rock crisis-hit Historic Environment Scotland<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said: \u201cFalkirk<\/a> Council is responsible for consulting on and assessing the potential impact of the proposed new AI data centre development as part of the planning process and has already commissioned a number of ecological and economic impact reports and assessments. These include specific assessments in relation to noise, light and air quality.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cNHS Forth Valley submitted response to the consultation on behalf of the East Region Health<\/a> Protection Service. Public health experts from this service also contacted Falkirk<\/a> Council\u2019s Environmental Health<\/a> Department and offered to provide any additional specialist public health advice and guidance required in relation to the planning application.\n<\/p>\n