As of May 2022, Caste Hill Hospital in Hull has been able to generate enough electricity to make the hospital site self-sufficient in the summer months when the days are longer, and now that the clocks have gone forward, the panels are generating around 26MWh per day so far in May and are anticipated to rise to a peak summer load of 50 MWh per day*. Not only does this represent a significant step towards the trusts plan to become carbon neutral by 2030, but the project is also saving approximately £250,000 to 300,000 every month.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) has taken a big step forward to achieving its net-zero targets with the installation of solar photovoltaic canopy over the car park of its Wharfedale Hospital site. This project will provide sustainable solar power to the hospital, reducing its reliance on conventional energy sources and, in turn, lowering the Trust’s carbon footprint. The 617 solar panels will reduce carbon emissions by 43.7 tonnes per year and save the Trust £75,000 annually.

In Northumbria, solar panels have been installed on the roof of North Tyneside General Hospital as part of a decarbonisation project that also saw the installation of large-scale heat pumps and the replacement of the steam system which provides heating for the hospital. The trust has also taken steps to upgrade its infrastructure through the installation of new transformers which are more energy efficient compared to the old ones.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have initiated solar energy projects at multiple sites, including York Hospital and Scarborough Hospital. The installation of solar panels at these sites is expected to significantly reduce energy costs and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has implemented solar energy systems across its facilities, including the Bradford Royal Infirmary. The adoption of solar power is part of the Trust’s broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and operational costs.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes the James Cook University Hospital and the Friarage Hospital, has also embraced solar energy. By leveraging solar power, the Trust aims to save approximately £500,000 annually on energy bills. This significant cost-saving measure not only reduces operational expenses but also supports the NHS’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The CDC, based in The Glass Works in Barnsley Town Centre, utilises space in in a convenient town centre location and helps reduce journeys to hospital. It offers vital testing and screening services in an accessible location with an abundance of public transport links.

Work to develop a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) at Metrocentre in Gateshead is now underway. The CDC will provide imaging, respiratory investigations and cardiac investigations with the centre designed to create capacity for these services that are seeing increased referrals. It is an important step in providing improved access to screening and diagnostic services outside of a hospital setting for the people of Gateshead and Newcastle.

This centre will be housed in the Freshney Place Shopping Centre, offering 150,000 diagnostic appointments annually. Services will include ophthalmology, non-obstetric ultrasounds, ECGs, and X-rays, making healthcare more accessible and reducing the burden on larger hospitals​

Located at Blaydon Primary Care Centre, it offers CT and MRI services, helping to reduce waiting times and improve access to diagnostic services for people living in Gateshead, west Newcastle, and west Northumberland. This setup reduces the need for patients to travel long distances to larger hospitals​.

The central location near a major transport hub means that patients can easily access the centre by public transportation, reducing the reliance on cars and thereby lowering emissions associated with individual car travel​. This CDC will offer 91,000 additional checks annually including MRI, X-rays, and respiratory checks.

Planned for Hull’s city centre, this CDC will provide up to 199,000 tests per year. It aims to streamline access to diagnostic services for residents, helping to catch conditions like cancer and heart disease earlier and more conveniently. The city centre location allows patients to combine their healthcare visits with other errands in the urban area, reducing the need for multiple trips.