COMMENT
Continuity and collaboration in healthcare
Hello and welcome to the March issue of Health Estate Journal. This month marks a change behind the scenes, as we welcome Matt Seex as covering editor. Matt will be familiar to many readers and contributors, having worked on IFHE Digest and The Care Home Environment, which have given him a strong understanding of the challenges facing estates and facilities professionals. We’re delighted to have him on board and grateful for the continuity and insight he will no doubt bring to the role. If you have editorial ideas or potential contributions, please don’t hesitate to drop him an email –
mattseex@stepcomms.com. As ever, this issue explores the top priorities shaping
healthcare facilities management, from critical clinical environments and compliance to sustainability, digitalisation, and collaboration. Hannah Lewis-Jones of Mott MacDonald interviews
Xav Roberts of Murphy Phillips Architects about the vision, collaboration, and lessons behind the Hellesdon Mental Health Facility, winner of the IHEEM 2025 Healthcare Estates New Build Project of the Year Award (p24). Bender’s Sam Parry examines ICU design, arguing that rising demand and constrained capacity mean estates teams must move beyond compliance-led specification towards outcome-led, evidence-based design to improve patient outcomes and operational performance (p69). Technology is another strong theme – Legrand’s Russell
Cover Story
to sustainable healthcare The drive for sustainability in healthcare has never been more critical. As the NHS progresses towards its ambitious Net Zero targets, the efficiency of steam and thermal energy systems plays a crucial role in achieving these sustainability goals. At Spirax Sarco, we are proud to be viewed as a trusted partner to the NHS, supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities in optimising their steam systems to enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and cut operational costs. Steam is the backbone of many essential healthcare
A critical partner on the journey
our expertise ensures that every intervention delivers measurable energy savings. We understand that in
processes – from sterilisation and humidification to heating and hot water provision. However, inefficient steam systems can lead to unnecessary energy waste, increased carbon emissions, and rising operational expenses. By implementing targeted efficiency measures, NHS estates can significantly reduce their environmental impact while improving system reliability. Our Advance Consulting Programme is designed to help healthcare estates identify opportunities for efficiency improvements. Through detailed steam system audits, advanced monitoring, and tailored recommendations, we work closely with NHS Trusts to create a clear and actionable sustainability roadmap. Whether it’s upgrading to high-efficiency steam traps, recovering waste heat, or implementing digital monitoring solutions,
March 2026 | Volume 80 | Issue 03
Lighting the way to
compliance see page 36
Why great sustainability
projects stall see page 39
UPS systems: purchase
or rent? see page 65
Spirax Sarco Ltd Charlton House Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 8ER T: 01242 521361
www.spiraxsarco.com
March 2026 Health Estate Journal 5
healthcare, sustainability must go hand in hand with reliability and compliance. Our solutions not only reduce carbon footprints, but also ensure that steam systems remain safe, resilient, and cost- effective – supporting the NHS in delivering high-quality patient care without disruption. Achieving sustainability is not a one-time initiative
– it’s a long-term commitment. Spirax Sarco is here to support the NHS every step of the way, providing expertise, innovative solutions, and continuous improvement strategies. By working together, we can help build a greener, more efficient, and future-ready healthcare sector.
Vanstone explores how smarter lighting systems are evolving into integrated building tools that can drive efficiency and better decision-making in healthcare settings (p77). Staying with lighting, Thorlux’s Liam Greene highlights the risks created by poor understanding of emergency lighting regulations and why non-compliance remains a persistent issue in the healthcare sector (p35). Sustainability and resilience continue to dominate estates agendas. We have a case study from Scunthorpe General Hospital’s new all-electric energy centre supporting decarbonisation of the NHS estate (p57), plus an interview from the Carbon Energy Fund (p39). Beyond individual projects, we examine wider system
pressures, including temporary care environments and patient safety (p43) and alternative managed-service models for delivering new healthcare facilities (p48). All this and much more. I hope you enjoy the issue.
This issue explores the top priorities shaping healthcare facilities management, from critical clinical environments and compliance to sustainability, digitalisation, and collaboration.
Advertising feature
Niamh Marriott, Editor
niamhmarriott@
stepcomms.com
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