Multi-million pound investment in a greener future for Medway Maritime Hospital

Work to replace hundreds of aging windows with brand-new energy efficient ones gets underway at Medway Maritime Hospital this week, as part of a multi-million pound investment in a greener future for the site.

This comes during Net Zero Week (Saturday 5 to Friday 11 July), which raises awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions to combat the effects of climate change.

The hospital’s Heat Decarbonisation Plan (HDP), is key to delivering the hospital’s goal to be net carbon zero by 2045 and will guide its transition from fossil fuel reliant heating systems to low carbon alternatives. This is made possible thanks to successful bids for £37.4 million of Government funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).

Emma Cooper with the new air and water heat source pumps

Work on the first phase of the HDP, funded by £25.9 million PSDS funding, is now at the half way point. This involves decommissioning old gas boilers and installing new air and water source heat pumps in two of the hospital’s zones.

Solar panels will also be installed on the hospital’s roof across the site by March 2026.

Running alongside this, the hospital’s Estates and Facilities Team is working on optimising the low-temperature hot water system and replacing fluorescent lighting with energy efficient alternatives.

This first phase of this work is expected to result in some 3,500 tonnes of annual carbon savings.

Phase two, scheduled for 2027/28 and funded by £11.5 million PSDS funding, will involve replacing the gas run combined heat and power plant in three of the hospital’s zones with air and water source heat pumps.

Emma Cooper, Carbon Zero Delivery Manager, Medway NHS Foundation Trust said: “With the NHS contributing four per cent of the country’s carbon emissions, as a hospital we are committed to achieving our net carbon zero goal by 2045.”

Neil Adams, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities and Sustainability Lead, Medway NHS Foundation Trust said: “Medway Maritime Hospital consumes a significant quantity of resources, resulting in a large carbon footprint that contributes to climate change.

“The Heat Decarbonisation Plan is just one of many sustainability initiatives in our Green Plan and sits alongside developing a sustainable travel plan, promoting green champions, sustainable design for all new builds and refurbishments, and reducing food waste.”

“The £11.5 million in additional funding is another step forward in helping us meet our green targets.”

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