7 June 2022
More than £4 million is to be invested on a host of energy-saving measures at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, thanks to a major Government grant.
As well as improving air quality and making the Barby Road site more energy efficient, the improvements will lead to financial savings that can be pumped back into patient care.
As part of its Green Plan, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has secured funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), delivered by Salix Finance.
The Trust will install low carbon heating solutions to replace fossil fuel fired equipment as part of its aim to reach net zero by 2040. The work, due to start later this summer, will take 12 months to complete, with UHCW NHS Trust also investing more than £62,000.
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “It is terrific news to hear our application has been successful and we can press ahead with this vital work.
“Our new Organisational Strategy sets out our commitment to playing a positive and sustainable contribution to the local economy, and this will build on other green developments already completed around the Trust’s estate.
“Not only will it assist in delivering our Green Plan, this work will also provide a positive financial saving that can be reinvested in patient care.
“We are very proud of our hospital at Rugby and the staff that work there, so we look forward to making these improvements.”
Plans include installing a 200KW air source heat pump, thermal insulation measures and the removal of a fossil fuel-fired plant.
To enable site-wide utilisation of heat from the air source heat pump, the work will include the installation of a district heating network to interconnect the heating loads of the three areas of the site currently served by three separate energy centres.
This will reduce maintenance costs associated with gas-fired boilers and enable connection of further low-carbon generation systems at a later date. It will also improve the energy supply resilience, essential for a hospital providing patient services 24/7.
A solar array of 1,250 solar panels will also be placed across roof spaces. Overall, the scheme will save more than 600 tonnes of carbon per year.
Salix Client Support Officer, Gbenga Adenaike, added: “We are delighted to be able to support University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust meet its net zero and energy saving goals. This project will have a positive impact on staff, visitors and patients.”
The money has been provided by BEIS as part of Phase Three of the PSDS, which is providing £1.425 billion of funding over the period 2022/2023 to 2024/2025.
Business and Energy Minister, Lord Callanan, said: “This funding will bring significant savings for taxpayers of well over half a billion pounds each year by making public buildings cheaper to run, heat and cool, whilst supporting economic growth and jobs.”
Vital Energi (Solutions), who have more than 30 years’ experience delivering a range of energy-related services, systems and solutions to clients, will carry out the work.
Managing Director, Ashley Malin, said: “We’re delighted to have successfully supported the Hospital of St Cross through their PSDS application and are looking forward to installing the multi-technology energy solution we’ve designed to accelerate the hospital’s journey to net zero and enhance their patient experience.”
The project adds to a wide variety of ‘green’ measures carried out by UHCW NHS Trust, such as purchasing 100 per cent renewable energy.
It is also the latest in a number of recent initiatives to upgrade facilities at the Hospital of St Cross, including the opening of a £1 million purpose-built Haematology and Oncology unit and new modular theatres to help treat more patients on elective waiting lists.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, e.g. fever, loss of taste or continuous new cough, please DO NOT attend for a blood test.
Click on the map for information about phlebotomy clinics in Coventry. You can book an appointment online at the locations in red.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Booking an appointment helps patients, their carers and family members to plan their hospital visit better, helping to reduce clinic waiting times and enabling patients to be seen much more quickly.
Location: Outpatients Department, on the ground floor. Opening hours: 8am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Children under 16 years old will need to book online here.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test, click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Patients from Rugby and the surrounding areas are able to access the Friends Blood Taking Unit at the Hospital of St Cross.
Referrals for blood tests can be from GP's, practice nurses or from hospital consultants. Patients are also able to leave other samples, such as urine, which have been collected at home, at the hospital's Pathology Reception.
Location: Near Brookfield House, just off North Road - map here. Opening hours: The blood taking clinic sessions for adults and children are listed below:
Monday -Friday 7am-4:45pm Appointment only
Wednesday Evening 5pm-7pm Suspended due to COVID
Saturday Morning 7am-10pm Suspended due to COVID
April 2020 NEW - This Clinic is now by appointment. Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above.
Address: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV1 4FS Location: Access is via the main doors, the Phlebotomy team are in Area A. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). 8am–4.45pm
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Specialist Tests - There are a small number of specialist tests where blood needs to be taken on a hospital site as the sample must be transferred to the laboratory rapidly for the test to be undertaken. Click here for a list of these specialist tests and to find out more.