Charing Cross Hospital, part of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, recently overcame a major hurdle in its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Working closely with Hammersith and Fulham Council and hospital staff as well as the local community, the original plantroom was removed with the help of a rare 450-tonne crane.
Shane King, Head of Estates Operation at the trust, thanked the local community and patients. He said: “A big thank you also to colleagues, local residents and patients for being understanding of this essential work,” adding, “We are one of the largest NHS trusts and have an important role to play in reducing emissions and delivering sustainable healthcare for our community.”
The pumps, responsible for the heating and hot water requirements of the tower block, were originally two water source pumps, and have now been replaced by four air source heat pumps. The introduction of these new pumps will significantly reduce the carbon emissions and improve the local air quality.
Feeding into the trust’s Green Plan, with emphasis on its goals of cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions, Imperial College has invested £10.4 million in 35 energy efficiency projects. Since the projects began back in 2009-10 it has achieved a 24.7 percent reduction in its carbon emissions, when compared with its 2007-08 baseline.
The plantroom is one of many measures introduced by the trust, under funds secured by the government’s public sectors Decarbonisation Scheme, across Charing cross and Hammersmith Hospitals. It aims to implements a range of improvements to its energy efficiency including lighting, pumping and air conditioning, alongside better energy controls.
Shane King added: “We have an ambitious Green Plan, which we launched last year, and will continue to work closely with patients, colleagues, local communities and partners to put our organisation on a path to a cleaner, greener, healthier and more equitable future.”
