This manual seeks to illustrate, through a series of related themes, the
commitment to raising the quality and sustainability of health
buildings and spaces to help those responsible for delivering healthcare
to understand the issues involved, and to be inspired to take
appropriate action. Using examples ranging from whole health
reconfigurations to health centres, 'Tomorrow’s Healthcare Environments'
demonstrates what it is possible to achieve. Click here to read the full manual (PDF via online access).
The NHS is one of the largest owners of estate in England. NHS organisations should take every opportunity to protect and enhance the natural environment surrounding NHS buildings. This can improve the quality of life for patients, staff and visitors, as well as the long term quality of the environment.
All NHS buildings, including those currently in use, need to move quickly to have a significantly lower carbon impact, not only in their construction but also in their lifetime use and in their decommissioning.
All decisions about design and build of healthcare facilities must be explicit about how they encourage a broader approach to sustainability including transport, delivery of services and community engagement. Decision making governing the construction of new healthcare buildings should be made with reference to information published by the UK Climates Impact Programme, for each region and locality over the building’s lifetime.
