NEW figures have revealed the Bradford district’s NHS Trusts have spent millions in recent years on contracts with Russian-owned energy firm Gazprom.
The figures, compiled by data firm Tussell, show since 2017 hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of contracts have been secured in the district by state-owned energy firm.
Both Bradford Trusts have said they are changing suppliers and ending links to Gazprom.
The data comes as pressure increases on public sector organisations to cut ties with Russian firms following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s dictatorial President Vladimir Putin.
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Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spent £1.71 million on contracts with the Russian firm between 2019 and 2021.
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust accounted for £676,500 of the spend through contracts with the firm between 2017 and 2019, while Yorkshire Ambulance Service had contracts worth £373,536 with Gazprom in 2020 and 2021.
Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust (£698,955) and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (£450,307) have also had contracts with Gazprom in the last two years.
A senior government source has said Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the NHS it must stop using energy supplied by Gazprom, following the invasion which has killed hundreds of civilians and forced more than a million people to flee their homeland as refugees.
The source said: “Sajid has spoken with NHS England and been clear that trusts need to stop using Gazprom as a supplier.
“He has also requested a wider review of any Russian role in supply chains across the health service.”
A joint statement by Bradford Teaching Hospitals and Airedale NHS Foundation Trusts said: “We have notified our intention to change supplier, ending our contract with Gazprom.”
A spokesperson from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust added: “Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust currently receives gas supplies under contract with Gazprom Marketing and Trading Retail Limited, a UK registered company, through a third-party framework agreement.
“We are currently reviewing our supply chains and contractual obligations, with a view to moving gas provider as soon as practicable.”
The moves follow comments by Lord Simon Stevens, former head of NHS England, in the House of Lords, when he said “decarbonising the health sector will take pound notes out of the hands of dictatorial regimes that are engaged in acts of aggression”.
Russia’s actions in invading Ukraine have drawn almost unanimous condemnation from people and governments across the world, including many in Russia itself.
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