ACOUSTICS
already focused on making improvements to our hospitals to meet Net Zero carbon deadlines?
The future of acoustic design in healthcare As capital investment in healthcare increases, new technologies and instrumentation will be adopted. Older facilities may be refurbished to include modern imaging scanners such as PET or MRI scanners. It will accordingly be necessary to suitably modernise the internal structures to adequately control noise and vibration, such that the modern equipment doesn’t jeopardise the use of surrounding hospital areas. Emerging technologies may assist in providing greater opportunities for acoustic design, such as the use of noise cancellation. In loud areas or areas where the demands for hygiene and safety (two-way doors for example) override the ability to utilise acoustic ceilings or doorsets, noise cancellation technologies could be developed to create more peaceful spaces. The push for Net Zero carbon in the NHS has resulted
in an urgent programme of new build and modernisation work in healthcare, in particular given that NHS emissions currently equate to 4% of England’s total carbon footprint.2 Commendable and necessary as it is to reduce our impact on the environment, it’s imperative to ensure that patient
wellbeing remains the top priority. NHS Trusts throughout the country are removing old gas boiler heating systems and replacing them with electric alternatives such as air source heat pumps. Due to their nature, heat pumps need to be located externally, and can form a significant new noise source located close to existing healthcare buildings. Without due care, such equipment can undermine internal conditions. By adopting a holistic approach to the M&E design at CPW, we are able to advise Trusts upon the best approach to developing their decarbonisation strategy. Where opportunities to improve environments for patients
and staff present themselves, such as through acoustic design, we must embrace these. The current influx of healthcare improvement works to meet the Net Zero carbon deadline provides the perfect opportunity to address acoustics as part of the required M&E works.
References 1 Eijkelenboom A, Bluyssen PM. Comfort and health of patients and staff, related to the physical environment of different departments in hospitals: a literature review. Intelligent Buildings Journal International 2022; 14(1): 95-113.
2 Applying net zero and social value in the procurement of NHS goods and services. NHS England. 23 March 2022. https://
tinyurl.com/3uvft4x5
Above: An extension roof above the ward with no structural floor at the Telford hospital – a challenge for noise transfer between rooms via ceilings, and the ventilation systems within the roof void.
Above left: A multi-bed recovery ward.
February 2025 Health Estate Journal 59
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