Hospital prepares for greener operation

A hospital packed with green technology could become the most environmentally friendly in Britain, according to the primary care trust building it.


The Malvern Community Hospital, due to open this autumn, is part of plans by the NHS to cut its carbon footprint – which is currently 3% of the UK’s total emissions.

Built at Seaford Court, Malvern Link, the hospital will include in-patient and out-patient facilities, x-ray and ultrasound, day rehabilitation and therapies, palliative care and visiting mammography and MRI scans.

Its 24-bed £17.7M hospital will use renewable geothermal energy for heating, cooling and hot water.

While ground source heat pumps will harness solar energy it will also generate low carbon electricity using combined heat and power (CHP).

Both technologies will work in tandem to improve overall energy efficiency, and are being supplied by Manchester based ENER-G as part of the eco-friendly design brief set by Interserve, which is contracted by Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

Worcestershire Primary Care Trust’s chief executive, Paul Bates, said: “We are very proud our state-of-the-art hospital will be so eco friendly.

“Reducing our carbon emissions will also save us money in the long term, which means we can spend our money where it matters, on patient care.

“By generating its own green power, the hospital is projected to save £8,700 per year on its energy bills, and reduce its carbon emissions by 15 tonnes per annum, equating to the environmental benefit of 1,500 trees.”

Luke Walsh

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