The healthcare sector accounts for 4.4% of total carbon emissions. In the UK, the NHS has acknowledged this and has committed to bold climate action through its “Delivering a Net Zero NHS” plan, targeting net zero emissions by 2040.
But reaching that ambitious goal requires more than incremental improvements—it calls for transformational change in how we design, build and power our healthcare infrastructure. That’s where offsite construction and all-electric design come in.
All-Electric: The Future of Healthcare Infrastructure
Electrification is at the heart of the NHS’s decarbonisation strategy. But what does it really mean to be “all-electric”? In practice, it means designing healthcare facilities that operate entirely without fossil fuels - relying instead on clean electricity, ideally generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind.
This shift offers numerous benefits:
- Energy efficiency: Electric systems are often more efficient than their gas-powered counterparts, particularly when paired with technologies like heat pumps.
- Cost savings: Over time, electrification reduces operational costs through lower energy bills and maintenance.
- Future-readiness: As the national grid decarbonises, electric buildings automatically become greener - whereas gas-reliant ones do not.
Electrification isn’t just about swapping boilers - it’s a system-wide upgrades involving battery storage, smart controls, EV-ready infrastructure and seamless integration with onsite renewables.
Offsite Construction: Building Smart, Fast and Green
Enter offsite construction - a modern method where buildings or components are manufactured in a factory setting before being assembled onsite. It’s not just faster; it’s cleaner and smarter too.
Here’s why it’s a game-changer for NHS sustainability:
- Reduced construction waste: Offsite builds can cut waste by up to 90%, thanks to precise, repeatable manufacturing processes.
- Lower transport emissions: Fewer deliveries and less time onsite means a smaller carbon footprint.
- Enhanced energy performance: Factory conditions enable better insulation, tighter seals and higher build quality.
- Faster delivery: Quicker builds mean hospitals can switch to low-carbon operations sooner - speeding up the journey to net zero.
- Optimised material use: Offsite methods typically require fewer, more sustainable materials - helping reduce embodied carbon.
Crucially, offsite construction supports the creation of high-performance, all-electric facilities from the ground up - removing Scope 1 emissions entirely (those directly produced by buildings, like from gas boilers).
Supporting the NHS Green Plan
Offsite, all-electric facilities are not a futuristic ideal - they are a present-day solution aligning perfectly with the NHS Green Plan:
- Meet 2030 targets for net zero new builds.
- Reduce operational carbon through electrification and passive design.
- Enable scalability and adaptability - ideal for modular clinics, elective hubs and emergency expansions.
- Support improved air quality and health outcomes through low-emission environments.
Together, offsite and electrification offer a holistic approach to sustainability - addressing both embodied and operational carbon, while enhancing clinical resilience and adaptability.
Real-World Innovations in Action
One standout example is the Solihull Elective Hub, an all-electric operating theatre block delivered using advanced offsite methods. It demonstrates how energy-efficient, Zero Scope 1 carbon facilities can be delivered quickly and sustainably without compromising on quality or patient care. The Elective Hub proves that future-ready healthcare isn’t just possible, it’s already here.
A Call to Action: Embed Sustainability from the Start
The path to a net zero NHS won’t be paved by last-minute fixes or carbon offsets - it must be embedded from the blueprint. That means:
- Prioritising electrification early in project planning.
- Engaging offsite construction partners from the outset.
- Choosing low-carbon materials and energy-efficient technologies.
- Collaborating across disciplines - sustainability is a shared responsibility.
Beyond Carbon Neutral
Offsetting emissions is no longer enough. We must design them out – starting with the very buildings we rely on for health and care.
Offsite construction and all-electric systems are not just sustainable alternatives; they are essential tools for building the healthcare infrastructure of tomorrow. The NHS’s commitment to net zero demands bold, forward-thinking solutions - and offsite, electrified facilities are leading the charge.
