Vincent Leibrick

As part of our support for NHS Forest, we were delighted to donate 4000 trees to Pinderfields Hospital site.

Utilising volunteers from within the Trust and the local community, several planting days were undertaken resulting in the trees being planted along the 900m perimeter of site.

Hedgerows are an integral part of the UK’s landscape, where not only are they complex ecosystems that make up the nation’s largest linear wildlife habitat, but they also offer a wealth of further benefits to their surrounding localities, including reduced flooding risk, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity enhancement, in addition to positive health impacts such as alleviating air pollution, heat regulation, and noise reduction, and wider social and operational contributions like visual amenity and enhanced security. Unfortunately, they are disappearing at an alarming rate, with over half the UK’s hedgerows having vanished since the post-war period, equating to around 118,000 miles lost.

The whips planted consist of a double run of mixed native broadleaf species over a length of almost one kilometre, in what is thought to be the longest new hedgerow created on an NHS site within England in recent times.

Space

To provide the greatest impact, the area the Trust chose for the new hedgerow was along the Northern and Eastern boundaries of the hospital. These are along the two most busy roads for the site; Bar Lane and Aberford Road. The distance spans around 900m (0.56 miles) in total, with varying ecology such as shady wooded areas and open grassland. Invasive species, such as cherry laurel, first required removal.

Health & Social Benefits

• Air quality improvements – absorption of pollutants such as nitrous oxides & particulate matter
• Noise/wind reduction – hedgerows attenuate noise and act as a wind break
• Security & privacy – segregating areas that can be utilised for wellbeing areas
• Reducing flooding/soil erosion – increased water retention, via slowing surface water run-off and extensive root networks help to maintain soil integrity
• Cooling/thermal regulation – hedges provide shade & reduce ‘urban heat island’ effects and issues like wind-chill

Environmental Benefits

The hedgerow consists of a double run of mixed native broadleaf, which will sequester carbon as it grows, and once established, it will significantly enhance biodiversity within the local area. A species rich hedgerow (11 spp.) has been created in which a huge array of lichens, insects, animals, and microorganisms will co-exist, providing nesting sites for birds and refuges for small animals, in addition to pollen, nectar, fruit, and leaves as a vital food source.

The Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust (SaTH) Hospital Transformation Project (HTP) represents a monumental endeavour, with an approximate out-turn cost of £312 million and a construction value of £180 million. This project, stretching from its commencement in December 2023 to the anticipated completion in 2028.

Our Aim

This project aims to enhance healthcare delivery for approximately 500,000 individuals annually, emphasising its pivotal role in providing life-saving emergency care and treatments.

At the heart of this monumental project lies the carefully planned and executed energy centre. Serving as the backbone of the hospital’s infrastructure, this critical component embodies the project’s commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. The comprehensive scope of works encompasses the enabling and reconfiguration of the existing emergency department, which involves 18 distinct phases. Leveraging limited provisions such as a new Air Handling Unit (AHU) and electrical switch room, the project strategically utilises existing infrastructure to minimise both time and capital expenditure, all while bolstering sustainability credentials.

Noteworthy features

The technical complexity of the energy centre extends far beyond its physical footprint. It involves advanced systems and technologies meticulously integrated to optimise energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. Noteworthy features include a sophisticated thermal heating and cooling networks utilising air source heat pumps, carefully selected to enhance energy efficiency and operational resilience. These initiatives align closely with sustainability targets, positioning the project as a pioneer in healthcare infrastructure development. Through innovative design and strategic planning, the energy centre serves as a testament to DSSR’s commitment to excellence and sustainability in healthcare engineering. Additionally, the project has a target of reaching BREEAM Excellent and aims to meet the NHS Net Zero Carbon Sustainability targets.

More updates coming soon!!!

The scope of The Christie NHS Trust Decarbonisation Plan involves three phases. We are currently only appointed for Phase 1, focusing on gathering information and developing high-level energy reduction strategies based on site assessments, building functions, and existing plant installations. This includes exploring passive measures, energy-efficient systems, and renewable energy sources following the Mean, Lean, Clean Energy Hierarchy.

Phase 2 entails a detailed site assessment to prioritise energy-saving opportunities and develop strategies for improving thermal and MEP services performance. Discussions with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) will begin to address potential electrical infrastructure upgrades required for electrification.

Phase 3 will implement detailed MEP schemes up to RIBA Stage 4 for tender purposes, integrating identified decarbonisation options. Outcomes will be presented in a report detailing energy and carbon savings for each option, along with recommendations and potential costs, supporting The Christie NHS Trust’s commitment to sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

“Thank you all for a lovely day yesterday. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for your help!”

Alexis Percival MSc (MEng) BSc
Environmental & Sustainability Manager

As part of our commitment to supporting local charities, we are delighted to support Just ‘B’,  a Harrogate-based specialist bereavement support and emotional wellbeing service helping children, young people, and adults across the communities of North Yorkshire.

Our £1000.00 donation will help more young people process their grief and any trauma they may have experienced. The donation will enable them to deliver 20 hours of one-to-one bereavement support sessions for children and young people. It costs around £50 to run one hour of bereavement support and on average a child has between 6-8 sessions.

However, Just ‘B’ doesn’t limit the number of sessions a young person may need as each child and their experiences are different. For some, they need a safe space to talk and play and for others, they need multiple sessions, time to process, engage in play activities and therapeutic talking. Therefore, DSSR can help more young people process their grief and any trauma they may have experienced.

“We really appreciate DSSR’s generosity, £1000.00 will make a huge difference to the young people we support.”

– Emma Parker, Project Manager, at Just ‘B’

Visit the link below to learn more about Harry’s story, a child whose life has been positively impacted by the support of Just ‘B’.

Harry’s story

The two-story facility will house six cutting-edge operating theatres, including two advanced ultra-clean ventilation (UCV) theatres, catering to a wide range of surgical procedures. These theatres will be complemented by nine first-stage recovery bed spaces, ensuring seamless patient care from surgery to post-operative recovery.

The ground floor will feature patient-centric design, featuring a welcoming admissions area, a second-stage recovery area, and a small inpatient ward. This thoughtfully designed space will provide a comfortable and supportive environment for patients throughout their treatment journey.

Sustainability is at the heart of the project, aligning with the NHS Net Zero Carbon Framework. Utilising modern methods of construction and targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, the facility will showcase environmentally conscious practices.

DSSR’s expertise in M&E design will ensure the facility is energy-efficient, sustainable, and compliant with all relevant standards. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns seamlessly with Royal Surrey Hospital’s vision for the future of healthcare.

We will be exhibiting at the UK’s largest exhibition and conference dedicated to NHS Estates and Facilities Managers, taking place on 10-11 October 2023 at the Manchester Central. Come and visit us at Stand E32 to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your next healthcare project.

DSSR is an award-winning international company of consulting engineers with a proven track record in supporting the design and development of healthcare schemes. Our Harrogate office is a specialist in the healthcare industry, with a team of engineers who have over 100 years of combined experience.

We are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable healthcare facilities that meet the needs of our clients and their patients. We work closely with our clients to understand their requirements and to develop innovative solutions that meet their budget and timescales.

Our services include:

• Mechanical and electrical engineering design
• Building services engineering design
• Sustainability and energy efficiency consultancy
• Project management
• Construction supervision

We are passionate about creating healthcare environments that are both functional and comfortable. We believe that our expertise and experience can help you to create a healthcare facility that is a positive and healing place for patients, staff, and visitors.

Come join us on stand E32