Southampton NHS Trust's story
In 2020 the NHS launched a new net zero program, which all Trusts, including Southampton, are committed to achieving. They are digitalising their services where possible and looking at solutions to help reduce the distances patients are required to travel.
In March 2023, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) was awarded £29.4m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to fund a major new energy-efficient heating system fit for the future.
Southampton General Hospital's (SGH) heating is currently provided via a centralised steam heat service. It works by steam running around the central core of the hospital, connected to gas and oil boilers.
Until five years ago Princess Anne Hospital was also connected to the same supply, but now runs on its own boiler system. The new energy system at SGH will replace the current infrastructure, which is now approximately 20-years-old and in need of a significant overhaul.
The state-of-the-art new system will help UHS take great strides towards its pledge to become Net Carbon Zero by 2045, as set out in the Trust's Green Plan launched in April 2022 – reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 4881 tonnes per year. Financially, once the new system is installed, it will save the Trust approximately £2m a year.
It will operate using air source heat pumps that absorb heat into fluid that passes through the pump, increasing the temperature before transferring the heat to water. Low temperature hot water solutions will also be expanded while the use of gas boilers will be reduced on the hospital site.
Paul Grundy, chief medical officer at UHS and chair of the Trust's sustainability board, said: "As the city's largest employer our estate is a large contributor to greenhouse gases which is why it is essential we find alternative energy solutions."
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme aims to put the public sector at the forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK.
Useful learnings from Southampton NHS Trust
Work together as a community, and as an organisation, to build your sustainability strategy.
Southampton NHS Trust's metrics
Carbon emissions savings.
