This module describes what Trusts and their advisors need to do in relation to sustainability at each stage in developing a project proposal to make sure they are approved. Chapter 2 describes planning, building control and design reviews, which are the same for all types of healthcare development. Chapter 3 looks at the approvals needed from the Department of Health, the NHS and the Strategic Health Authority. These are slightly different according to the funding route, so the guidance is split into PFI (Private Finance Initiative), ProCure 21 and LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust).

Healthcare building projects require approval from both internal and external bodies. The internal approvals process seeks to ensure that all new work matches the Strategic Health Authority’s - and ultimately the Department of Health’s - strategic and business priorities. This typically includes some sustainability requirements, such as the Department’s energy target or the requirement for a specific BREEAM rating for the project (see Module 2 – NHS SD Policy).