What steps can the NHS take towards
a more energy-efficient future?
If the NHS is going to realise the UK government’s goal of becoming the first net-zero health service by 2040, then work must begin now.
That includes a concerted retrofitting of traditional healthcare construction methods, a conversation around building design for new facilities, and a more eco-driven approach to energy and operational usage within healthcare settings.
Improvements at each stage of the healthcare building lifecycle require not just experience in medical construction, but also expertise in sustainable infrastructure.
Taking the heat out of a pressure situation
Businesses of all kinds are currently battling against rising costs while facing a responsibility to provide more environmentally-friendly spaces – and the NHS is no exception. From a construction perspective, progress towards both goals can be achieved through the installation of efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting and smart building controls.
MIG took on this challenge for The George Eliot Hospital as part of a modular project which emphasised the importance of improved air quality and heightened energy efficiency. Not only did MIG adhere to a technically demanding brief, but we also provided consultation and advice to extract the full potential from the initial drawings.
This included a focus on safeguarding against extreme weather fluctuations that could cause discomfort or safety concerns to patients and workers.
Efficient approaches to sustainable builds
The George Eliot Hospital Project was completed in partnership with modular construction manufacturer, Wernick Buildings. This collaboration has also hit its mark on sustainability during the modular fit-out of North Devon’s new Jubilee Ward.
As well as increasing hospital bed capacity, the project prioritised improved air conditioning and a new HVAC system, all within a 10-week timescale. The quick and successful turnaround helped the hospital capitalise on a recent £635 million Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which allows hospitals to improve infrastructures if the process involves the use of renewable energy sources.
A modular approach can result in a 45% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional construction, making an already sustainable investment even more efficient.
One step closer to net-zero
While modular construction allows for energy efficiency to be easily integrated throughout new projects, there is also the opportunity to augment older spaces and more traditional solutions through retrofitting.
MIG is a specialist in healthcare construction and refurbishments, as evidenced by success stories at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and Manchester Royal Infirmary. Both projects involved the fit-outs of medical gas systems and the replacement of existing medical equipment.
With each refurbishment and turnkey fit-out, MIG is committed to moving Trusts one step closer to realising its own net-zero ambitions.
Reach out to a member of our team to see where emissions can be reduced, where energy can be saved, and where your spaces can become both cleaner and greener.
