Buildings

Outside of hospital The NHS has the largest property portfolio in Europe. Decisions about the planning, design and construction of new buildings, and the refurbishment of existing ones, are important opportunities to contribute to health and wellbeing, and to a more sustainable NHS.

Since July 2008, there has been a formal requirement to apply the BREEAM Healthcare environmental and sustainability standard to healthcare building and refurbishment projects above certain capital thresholds.

New buildings are expected to achieve an Excellent rating, and refurbishments a Very Good rating, within the scheme.

Sustainable building and refurbishment means:

Listening to the views of the local community on their needs from healthcare buildings
Working with contractors to ensure sustainable development objectives are properly specified, understood and delivered
Using building projects to trigger improvement in other areas, like promoting active travel, cutting carbon, and expanding green and natural spaces
Maximising sustainability performance through all phases of a building’s lifetime – planning, design, construction and operation
Supporting a strong and sustainable local economy by involving local suppliers in building projects.

Benefits

Buildings with lower running costs, allowing money to be directed to healthcare rather than wasted on utility bills

Meeting legally binding UK carbon reduction targets

Buildings that will be resilient to climate change

Buildings that exemplify sustainability to their users, promoting awareness and confidence

Improved quality of patient environment – reducing patient recovery times

Protecting the environment and improving health – for example by reducing waste and encouraging physical activity

Generating local employment and business opportunities

Supporting communities – by providing facilities beyond healthcare such as facilities for sports and voluntary groups

Facts

NHS estate comprises 25 million m2 of occupied floor area and has a value of £36 billion for buildings and equipment
The UK Government aims for all new non-domestic public sector buildings to be zero carbon by 2018