Estate and Facilities
According to the Greener NHS and their ambitious statutory guidance “Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service” the NHS estate and its supporting facilities services – including primary care, trust estates and private finance initiatives – comprises 15% of the total carbon emissions profile.
The NHS is taking a comprehensive approach to reduce emissions from estates and facilities as part of its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions. This includes investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, such as the installation of LED lighting and the installation of solar panels. The NHS is also focusing on improving the energy performance of existing buildings and incorporating sustainability into new construction projects. Additionally, the NHS is implementing digital solutions to monitor and manage energy use more effectively, thus reducing the carbon footprint of its estates and facilities
The Government’s “Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme” supports these efforts by providing essential funding for energy efficiency and low-carbon heat upgrade projects, enabling us to implement cutting-edge technologies and innovations.
Solar Energy
The installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on NHS sites provides a renewable energy source that significantly reduces carbon emissions, aligning with the NHS’s net zero targets. In all cases the use of solar PV leads to substantial cost savings on energy bills, allowing funds to be redirected towards patient care and enhancing the overall sustainability of healthcare operations.
▼ Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
As of May 2022, Caste Hill Hospital in Hull has been able to generate enough electricity to make the hospital site self-sufficient in the summer months when the days are longer, and now that the clocks have gone forward, the panels are generating around 26MWh per day so far in May and are anticipated to rise to a peak summer load of 50 MWh per day*. Not only does this represent a significant step towards the trusts plan to become carbon neutral by 2030, but the project is also saving approximately £250,000 to 300,000 every month.
▼ Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) has made a notable stride towards its net-zero targets by installing a solar photovoltaic canopy over the car park at its Wharfedale Hospital site. This project will provide sustainable solar power to the hospital, reducing its reliance on conventional energy sources and lowering the Trust’s carbon footprint. Last year, the 617 solar panels reduced carbon emissions by 65.6 tCO2e and saved the Trust over £120,000 in electricity costs.
▼ Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
In Northumbria, solar panels have been installed on the roof of North Tyneside General Hospital as part of a decarbonisation project that also saw the installation of large-scale heat pumps and the replacement of the steam system which provides heating for the hospital. The trust has also taken steps to upgrade its infrastructure through the installation of new transformers which are more energy efficient compared to the old ones.
▼ York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have initiated solar energy projects at multiple sites, including York Hospital and Scarborough Hospital. The installation of solar panels at these sites is expected to significantly reduce energy costs and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Vital Energi are working with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on a multi technology energy project which will see Bridlington Hospital on course to become one of the most sustainable NHS sites in the UK.
▼ Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has implemented solar energy systems across its facilities, including the Bradford Royal Infirmary. The adoption of solar power is part of the Trust’s broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and operational costs.
▼ South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes the James Cook University Hospital and the Friarage Hospital, has also embraced solar energy. By leveraging solar power, the Trust aims to save approximately £500,000 annually on energy bills. This significant cost-saving measure not only reduces operational expenses but also supports the NHS’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Community Diagnostic Centres
Submissions to the call for evidence highlighted broad principles or approaches to reduce carbon emissions, one of which was optimising the location of care. One way this is being achieved is utilising existing estate by opening of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in a variety of accessible settings including shopping centres, university campuses and football stadiums. These centres are strategically placed in community settings, often repurposing existing infrastructure such as shopping centres and local hospitals, to provide convenient access to diagnostic tests. This not only helps in early diagnosis and treatment but also reduces the environmental impact by decreasing the travel distances for patients, thereby cutting down on emissions and traffic congestion around major hospitals.
▼ Barnsley Glassworks
The CDC, based in The Glass Works in Barnsley Town Centre, utilises space in in a convenient town centre location and helps reduce journeys to hospital. It offers vital testing and screening services in an accessible location with an abundance of public transport links.
▼ Gateshead Metrocentre
Work to develop a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) at Metrocentre in Gateshead is now underway. The CDC will provide imaging, respiratory investigations and cardiac investigations with the centre designed to create capacity for these services that are seeing increased referrals. It is an important step in providing improved access to screening and diagnostic services outside of a hospital setting for the people of Gateshead and Newcastle.
▼ Freshney Place Shopping Centre, Grimsby
This centre will be housed in the Freshney Place Shopping Centre, offering 150,000 diagnostic appointments annually. Services will include ophthalmology, non-obstetric ultrasounds, ECGs, and X-rays, making healthcare more accessible and reducing the burden on larger hospitals
▼ Blaydon Community Diagnostic Centre
Located at Blaydon Primary Care Centre, it offers CT and MRI services, helping to reduce waiting times and improve access to diagnostic services for people living in Gateshead, west Newcastle, and west Northumberland. This setup reduces the need for patients to travel long distances to larger hospitals.
▼ Scarborough
The central location near a major transport hub means that patients can easily access the centre by public transportation, reducing the reliance on cars and thereby lowering emissions associated with individual car travel. This CDC will offer 91,000 additional checks annually including MRI, X-rays, and respiratory checks.
▼ Hull City Centre
Planned for Hull’s city centre, this CDC will provide up to 199,000 tests per year. It aims to streamline access to diagnostic services for residents, helping to catch conditions like cancer and heart disease earlier and more conveniently. The city centre location allows patients to combine their healthcare visits with other errands in the urban area, reducing the need for multiple trips.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.
▼ Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been awarded circa £23m through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Schemes and delivered multiple energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures. This has included the installation of heat pumps, improvements to site-wide heating by connecting 16 buildings to the St James’s University Hospital Low-Carbon Network which utilises heat from Leeds PIPES (district heating scheme), installation of solar-voltaic panels, upgrades to the building energy management system, building fabric upgrades and the installation of LED lighting.
▼ Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust has delivered energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures. At Goole, the use of coal was discontinued as the coal fired boilers were replaced with a low carbon combined heat and power system. Old lighting was replaced with energy efficient LED lighting, new insulation was fitted, and the building energy management system was also upgraded. At Scunthorpe, LED lighting and double glazing was installed alongside upgrades to its building energy management systems.
▼ Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust completed a major sustainability project at North Tyneside General Hospital. The £22M project was funded by the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which supports the delivery of the NHS ambitious goal to become net zero by 2040.
The project included installing large-scale heat pumps, solar (PV) panels and replacing the steam system which provided heating for the hospital. The trust also has taken steps to upgrade its infrastructure through the installation of new transformers which are more energy efficient compared to the old ones. Additionally, two new substations have been built, forming a new high-voltage (HV) ring, installing a new switchgear to enhance the infrastructure’s reliance, and ensuring a reliable power supply.
▼ York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £9,073,412 for 2 projects to replace the existing oil boilers with air source heat pumps at Bridlington Hospital and York Hospital. Improved pipework insulation will also be installed at York Hospital, and solar panels, heating pipework insulation and high efficiency motors will be installed at Bridlington Hospital.
▼ Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust has been awarded £678,487 to replace end of life fossil fuel gas boilers with air source heat pumps at the Regent Point site, which is a non-clinical office building for support services (IT, HR, Procurement & Finance). Solar panels will be installed and the energy efficiency of the site will also be improved through the installation of LED lighting and building energy management systems.
▼ South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust £28,431,899 for two projects to decarbonise Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. The existing heating systems in both hospitals will be replaced with air source heat pumps and solar panels will be fitted to provide a source of renewable energy. Additionally, the energy efficiency across the sites will be improved through the installation of double-glazing LED lighting and improvements to the heating distribution system.
Energy-efficient LED Lighting
Energy-efficient LED lighting offers significant benefits for both healthcare environments and the planet. By reducing energy consumption, these LEDs contribute to lower carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals such as the NHS’s ambition to achieve net zero. LEDs not only improve environmental outcomes but also enhance patient care by providing better lighting quality, improving visibility and comfort for staff and patients alike. Additionally, the long lifespan of LEDs reduces maintenance costs and operational disruptions, making them a cost-effective solution for healthcare facilities committed to greener practices.
▼ Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has replaced over 2,500 light fittings with energy-efficient LEDs. Supported by the NHS National Energy Efficiency Fund, the £420,000 scheme aligns with the hospital’s commitment to environmental improvements, cost reduction and its Green Plan. New LED fixtures will be installed in 11 wards, theatres and departments including medical imaging, chest clinic, emergency, and pathology.