Drive towards decarbonising the South’s healthcare estate

The UK has a huge healthcare estate with a large carbon footprint, so it is essential that we understand the importance of working towards reducing carbon emissions across new and existing estates.

What can be done to reduce carbon emissions and ensure healthcare facilities are greener for the long-term?

The carbon cost of saving carbon

The construction industry has been working towards achieving net zero carbon in operation and the NHS Net Zero Building Standard published in early 2023 provides guidance for the NHS estate. With continued investment, NHS buildings are becoming better insulated and more energy efficient, minimising their energy needs and operational carbon emissions. However, with any construction work, to improve energy efficiency, there is an embodied carbon ‘cost’ and there is now an increased focus on this.

Embodied carbon arises from the extraction, transport, processing, fabrication and installation of products during the construction of a building. We must be mindful of the amount of embodied carbon included improvements being made to increase energy efficiency to save on operational carbon emissions. For example, how does the embodied carbon created by completely demolishing an existing hospital and replacing it with an all new one compare with the embodied carbon if the old building had been refurbished?

The case for refurbishment

Refurbishing and reusing existing buildings may not work in all cases. Typically, around half of the embodied carbon in a new building is in the foundations and frame and so refurbishment options should be considered in business cases because re-use can result in less embodied carbon than opting for a full newbuild.

A well-planned programme of refurbishment works can also deliver operating energy efficiency and carbon targets, but with the benefits of lower cost and lower embodied carbon.

There is of course the disruption factor to be considered when carrying out extensive refurbishment works if the rest of the site is still operational. However, with planning and collaboration between client and an experienced contractors, disruption can be minimised through careful sequencing of the works.

Digital optioneering the best value solution

Over the last two years, Tilbury Douglas has invested more than £5m in technology, security and digital processes to maintain our position as a leading construction innovator. Tilbury Douglas’ Connect Configurator is a web-based application for smarter and more efficient digital modelling of designs using standardised layouts and a “kit of parts” of building components. Our Connect Configurator won the 2023 Construction News Company Innovation of the Year Award for its ability to influence early concept designs and inform carbon decision making.

As well as designing new buildings, the flexible Connect Configurator platform can also be used to model efficient layouts for refurbishment schemes using laser scanning. Our digital models create more information and accurate detail earlier in the process, giving our clients data at their fingertips. This way, clients can see live embodied, operational and whole life carbon estimates, as well as time and cost implications of different construction options as the design progresses.

Lower carbon materials such as timber for structural framing and recycled materials can be designed, evaluated and considered. Different options for construction planning for refurbishment can also be readily modelled, to ensure any effect on hospital operations is minimised and NHS business cases are fully informed.

The Connect Configurator also incorporates offsite manufacturing, which increases efficiency of the construction process and further reduces embodied carbon through reduced transportation, staff travelling and waste.

Utilising digital tools and carefully selecting the best design approach – for not only being net zero carbon in operation but also for low embodied carbon during construction, maintenance and end of life – will go a long way in helping to lower the overall carbon emissions of the current and future healthcare estate.

Written by

Dean Lee

Dean Lee

Framework Director - Tilbury Douglas