Funding helps Medway Maritime Hospital achieve green target

Medway Maritime Hospital is investing in a greener future by installing solar panels, replacing aging boilers with modern heat pumps, installing energy efficient LED lights and double glazing, thanks to more than £26 million in funding to help reduce our carbon footprint.

The hospital’s Heat Decarbonisation Plan, supported by a £83,000 Low Carbon Skills Fund grant, is working to a net zero framework to guide our transition from fossil fuel reliant heating systems to low carbon alternatives.

The £25.9 million of funding, secured through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, is expected to result in some 3500 tonnes of annual carbon savings.

Earlier this year, a two-week project involved installing around 1600 LED lights across the hospital including estates offices, maternity and other areas. By making this change is it estimated 25 tons of CO2 will be saved each year.

This builds on the work in 2020 to change 7000 lights to LED across the hospital estate and was made possible by £173,000 from the National Energy Efficiency Fund.

A smaller study, looking at enhancing efficiency in the heating system, is also underway thanks to funding of £23,000 through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme. The aim of the study is to mitigate energy expenditure and minimise the carbon footprint across the hospital site.

Neil McElduff, Director of Estates and Facilities, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for the hospital’s Green Plan, said: “The £25.9 million awarded to us through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will help us meet our 51 per cent net zero target by 2026, as well as aiming to achieve our full net zero target in 2040.

“Work has started on installing the heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures and is expected to be completed by March 2026.”

Our Green Plan aims to deliver more sustainable healthcare; improving the quality of care while enhancing the resilience, sustainability and wellbeing in preparation for future pressures and challenges.