sponsored by HEALTH SECTOR NEWS
Collaborative research effort on energy certification recognised
NHS Property Services’ role in an award-winning research project has been recognised with the ‘Most Significant Contribution to the Art and Science of Building Services Engineering’ at the 2025 CIBSE IBPSA-England Technical Symposium. The accolade was awarded to IEDE PhD researcher, Meysam Paydar, for his presentation based on the paper: ‘Evaluating the potential of using energy certification models to assess decarbonisation pathways for primary healthcare buildings’ – a collaborative research effort led by Dr Esfand Burman at UCL’s Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, in partnership with NHSPS and funded by UCLPartners. The project explored the potential
of repurposing existing Energy Performance Certificate models
be used to simulate complex decarbonisation scenarios – such as replacing gas boilers with heat pumps, and integrating solar PV systems. These insights are now being used to inform practical work packages that could be implemented across NHS primary care sites nationwide. The team developed a
– originally developed using DesignBuilder software – to forecast and assess the impact of transitioning NHS primary care buildings to low-carbon technologies. NHSPS identified the opportunity, provided access to a comprehensive dataset of EPC models, and worked closely with the researchers to guide the analysis and interpret the findings. The research demonstrated that EPC models, when enhanced, can
bespoke conversion tool to automate the transformation of EPC models into more advanced simulation models. NHSPS says this has ‘opened new avenues for cost- effective, data-driven planning in the NHS estate’.
Dr Esfand Burman, EngD, CEng, MCIBSE, MASHRAE, Associate Professor (pictured, left, with Meysam Paydar) said: “This was a collaborative and highly successful project, and our research will hopefully help the transition to net- zero carbon in the healthcare sector.”
‘Landmark’ NICU facility at Alder Hey on track to open next year
Liverpool children’s hospital, Alder Hey, and construction company, Morgan Sindall, are celebrating ‘a major milestone’ in the development of a new dedicated surgical NICU and expanded emergency care facility at the site, now structurally complete and set to open in 2026. The purpose-built facility is
the latest addition to Alder Hey’s expanding healthcare campus. To support the hospital in delivering ‘leading edge’ urgent care and emergency services, a ground floor Emergency Floor Expansion will bring together paediatricians, emergency care clinicians, advanced clinical practitioners, primary care, and family support workers. This includes a 16-bed assessment unit, a co-located Urgent Treatment Centre, and a purpose-built Same Day Emergency Care facility. Through the national Urgent and Emergency Care Scheme, Alder Hey was awarded £9 m of capital expenditure limit over the
last two years, enabling Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to improve and expand emergency care facilities, provide faster care, and reduce A&E waiting times. Alder Hey Children’s Charity has committed a further £1 m. Above the ground floor facilities will be a new surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, ‘highlighting the ambitions of the hospital’s collaboration with Liverpool Women’s Hospital through the Liverpool Neonatal Partnership’. The smallest and sickest babies requiring surgery will no longer need to be transferred between Alder Hey and
20 Health Estate Journal August 2025
Liverpool Women’s Hospital for care.
Alder Hey Children’s Charity
has provided over £3 m in funding to provide enhancements and equipment ‘to enable the hospital to create a truly world-class surgical neonatal intensive care unit’.
During a special event, Alder
Hey staff joined colleagues from Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Alder Hey Children’s Charity, and others involved in the project – including the construction team from Morgan Sindall, to celebrate the progress made.
One-piece thermostatic shower panel
Armitage Shanks says its new Markwik 21+ Thermostatic SQ one- piece thermostatic shower panel unit was specifically engineered for the UK healthcare market. Available in 1500 and
1700 mm panel heights – to suit a common ceiling height of 2400 mm, while meeting HBN guidelines, the shower panel features a maximum blend temperature control that limits water temperature to 41°C, to reduce scalding risk. The temperature is set during installation, and can be adjusted during maintenance as needed. The sequential valve features an easy- to-turn extended single lever design to control water flow and temperature in one movement. Armitage Shanks said: “With customisable temperature settings and simple functionality, the shower panel is equally suited to use in care homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. Its outer shell – with a clean white finish for contrast, and a high Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 92 – is designed for those with visual impairments. Made from hard-wearing antimicrobial premium grade solid PVC, the shell incorporates silver ion additive technology that inhibits bacteria and mould growth, and is hostile to viruses.” The outer shell is reportedly also
stain-, heat-, fire-, and chemical- resistant, while seamless joins and smooth edges facilitate cleaning. “The shell features a unique access panel, which makes it simple to service, and to maintain filters, regulators, check valves and isolation valves,” Armitage Shanks explained: “The shower panel comes pre-plumbed with 15 mm copper pipes joined with brass push-fit connectors. The pre-plumbed pipework complies with HTM 04-01: Safe Water in Healthcare Premises, and includes a hot recirculating loop to reduce the risk of deadleg water.”
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