Sustainability and energy saving were the focus of two IHEEM seminars held in London immediately prior to the Institute’s AGM. James Verrinder reports.
Phil Nedin then looked at the differences between a sustainable approach and a non-sustainable one. Some of the methods used to highlight the difference included whole life costing against first cost, therapeutic environment or clinical efficiency, future needs versus current needs and, of course, high carbon or low carbon. The presentation then focused on the three key areas of consideration at the beginning of any project: plant, space and systems. Phil Nedin listed how, at the design stage, low carbon buildings can be achieved. Some considerations that should be taken into account at the planning stage are lighting controls, reduced air leakage, increased shading, increased insulation and biomass boilers. Still focusing on the planning stage, the presentation then looked at the advantages of narrow plan buildings against deep plan. These advantages included: increased natural daylight, future space flexibility, prevention of infection spread and reduced mechanical ventilation.
Next on the agenda was a comparison of single bed rooms versus multi-bed wards. Phil Nedin said that he preferred the former, and cited effective isolation, privacy and dignity, reduced patient travel and individual stores and supplies as the key advantages. A lack of interaction with other patients and potentially higher staffing costs were considered drawbacks.
Reducing the use of natural resources through new technology was the next part of the presentation, with a focus on the use of wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, biomass boiler systems and rainwater collection examined as alternative power methods.
An extended paper by Phil Nedin, based on his seminar presentation, will appear in a future edition of Health Estate Journal.
Carbon Trust options
Next on the podium was Tom Cumberlege, of The Carbon Trust, who explained the three programmes available for the NHS and other public sector organisations.
In his presentation, Tom Cumberlege introduced The Carbon Trust as a private company set up by the Government in response to the threat of climate change. Its mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by helping organisations reduce their carbon emissions and develop low carbon technologies.
Services tailored for the NHS include site surveys, a website where users can discuss energy saving matters and a telephone helpline.
The Carbon Trust also offers design advice and printed guides for new buildings and refurbishments. NHS members using the service have access to an online message board where they can discuss carbon and energy with other professionals using the service. Tom Cumberlege then explained the process of events when an NHS Trust contracts The Carbon Trust. The first step involves a consultant from The Carbon Trust building a team at the NHS Trust and developing a scope for planned works. Together with the NHS Trust’s team, the consultant will then develop a plan of action, identifying targets, risks and opportunities within the project. The next step is the finalisation of the strategy and design plan, before the final phase, which is the implementation of the project.
Tom Cumberlege closed his presentation with a list of NHS Trusts and hospitals that have worked with The Carbon Trust. These included the Salford Royal Hospital, University College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’, and Southampton Hospital. The well-attended seminar was then closed, and focus shifted to the IHEEM AGM.
