Heat pumps, window replacements, and extensive fabric upgrades reduce the carbon footprint of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by over 1,400 tonnes a year, placing then firmly on the map of sustainable healthcare sites.
In their latest decarbonisation project, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust partnered with Vital Energi, who designed and delivered a multi-technology energy solution, to not only reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint, but to reduce energy bills and enhance the patient and staff experience too.
As well as installing a 200kW air source heat pump to provide low carbon heat to the hospital, Vital Energi have completed major upgrades to the exterior of the 11-storey Tower Block building at the heart of the hospital estate.
Almost 700 original windows were replaced with modern, triple-glazed units, and the external fabric of all four sides of the Tower Block, from the ground floor up to the 11th floor, has been upgraded.
These upgrades will not only reduce heat loss, resulting in lower energy usage, but will enhance the patient and staff experience through increased natural light, improved ventilation, and reductions in external noise levels. BMS and heating systems have also been upgraded to enhance temperature regulation and overall energy efficiency.
During the works, peregrine falcons were found nesting on the Tower Block building. As the birds of prey are protected by law, and with only 1,750 pairs in Britain, their nests must be treated with great care. After consulting with a peregrine specialist, Vital Energi made and relocated a new habitat for the falcons in the same vicinity of the building but away from all the hustle and bustle of the construction works.
Simon Jones, Regional Manager (North & Scotland) at Vital Energi, said:
“It’s been great to work alongside the Trust on this project, which has delivered real impact, not just in cutting carbon, but in transforming the look and feel of the hospital. The upgraded façade and triple-glazed windows have modernised the Tower Block, making it more energy efficient and visually appealing, while accelerating the Trust’s journey to net zero.
“It’s also sparked real interest among Vital staff, especially around the resident peregrine falcons, which added a unique and unexpected dimension to the project.”
This project received grant funding from PSDS Phase 3a and was delivered through the Carbon and Energy Fund Framework (CEF), which has been specifically created to fund complex energy infrastructure upgrades for public sector organisations.
