This research project aimed to find out more about improving the sustainability
performance of existing healthcare buildings. It acknowledged that the vast majority of
healthcare buildings have already been built, and that the context for public spending
means that few new healthcare facilities will be built over the coming years. Instead, the
focus of attention will switch to how we can improve the existing estate.

The research covered all aspects of sustainability, but energy use and CO2 emissions
were the principal focus points. We were encouraged by the Estates and Facilities Division
of the Department of Health to include climate change adaptation in the research, which
we did. Other aspects of sustainability that we included in the work were:

- Water use
- Travel and transport
- Green space and landscaping
- Waste and recycling
- Providing a high quality internal environment
- Whole life costs and investment appraisal
- Low impact materials
- Improving historic/listed buildings, and
- Providing facilities for local people.

There were three basic objectives of the work. First, to understand how to improve existing
buildings on sustainability issues. Second, to make recommendations to the Trusts we
studied – and to a wider audience – about how to improve. And third, to write guidance on
meeting climate change targets, adaptation and other climate change issues.


Contents:

Introduction
Section 1: Methodology
Section 2: Overview
Section 3: Case Studies
Section 4: Analysis
Section 5: Recommendations
Self-assessment tools
Section 6: Policy Findings and Recommendations
References
Appendices