The birthplace of the NHS, is set to become the first retro-fitted carbon net zero in-patient hospital in the UK thanks to significant investment.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Trafford hospital, secured £18.9 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for the project.

The investment will pay for modern low-carbon air and water source heat pump systems to replace the hospital’s dated energy infrastructure. The replacement of the current system, which is more than 50 years old, will also end the hospital’s reliance on fossil fuel natural gas. With the current heating system reaching the end of its lifespan, the complete replacement of the existing system could have cost an estimated £10million.

As part of the work, the existing solar panels at the hospital will be boosted by extra units to generate additional renewable electricity.

The change will also make the hospital for comfortable for patients and staff as the building will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

While some hospitals have received grants for part of their energy systems to support the NHS Carbon Net Zero programme, this is the first time that an existing NHS hospital will upgrade its entire energy system to completely decarbonise energy at the inpatient site.

Professional head shot photo of Mark Cubbon, group chief executive of MFT said: “For our patients, staff and communities, this will mean knowing that the facilities which they rely on every day are also a key part of our work to improve the environment for everyone, helping address the wider causes of poor health and tackling inequalities.  

“This major project will make a significant contribution to Greater Manchester’s move to Carbon Net Zero ahead of the national deadline. Trafford Hospital has an incredible heritage, and we are incredibly proud that it will once again be making history by helping to preserve the planet for future generations.” 

The work is set to be carried out over the next two years, with the new system due to go live in Spring 2026.

The design phase of the project will begin shortly, and construction work at the hospital is projected to begin in Autumn 2024.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This investment in Trafford Hospital is great news for the residents of Trafford and beyond as state-of-the-art technology is brought to the hospital.  

“This hospital has a rich history of treating people with the best care and this new investment in net-zero energy only strengthens this quality of care and is another step forward in our efforts to become carbon neutral by 2038.”

The project is predicted to reduce the hospital’s carbon emissions linked to energy use by 92 per cent by 2040, while also saving up to £100,000 a year based on current energy costs – which could increase further as energy prices rise in the future.

Although the project involves the whole site, there will be minimum disruption or inconvenience for patients and staff, with the majority of the works being in plant rooms and the boiler house.

The project is estimated to be completed by Spring 2026 subject to construction starting in Autumn 2024.