BREEAM Healthcare To transform NHS environmental standards
Posted September 2008
The health sector has adopted a BREEAM Healthcare environmental certification scheme to set and meet more rigorous sustainability standards.
From July 2008, BREEAM Healthcare has replaced the NHS Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT), and will be used to assess all healthcare buildings containing medical facilities. It is designed to help mitigate the environmental impact of buildings through appropriate design, refurbishment and management.
BREEAM addresses energy use, water pollution, transport, land use and materials and waste, during the design and construction phase for both new and refurbished buildings, extensions and existing buildings in operation.
How does BREEAM Healthcare differ from NEAT?
| NEAT | BREEAM Healthcare |
| Self assessment tool | Can only be carried out by independent licensed BREEAM assessors |
| No quality control process | Two stage quality controlled assessment process (design and post construction). Quality Assurance managed by BRE |
| No mandatory requirements | Mandatory credit scores and weightings for different environmental impact categories e.g. energy and transport |
| Mandatory for new build at Outline of Business Case approval stage | Mandatory for new build at Outline of Business Case approval stage - rating of EXCELLENT must be achieved |
| Voluntary for existing buildings | Mandatory for existing buildings at Outline of Business Case approval stage - rating of GOOD must be achieved |
| No update since 2002 on Building Regulations, Health Technical standards or best practice | Regulation and Health Technical standards to 2008 requirements and the scheme will be regularly updated to follow Building Regulations, Health Technical Memorandum and best practice |
Faithful+Gould has a national team of accredited BREEAM assessors. We offer substantial BREEAM experience, acquired over many years in a variety of public and private sector settings, as part of our wider sustainability remit within both Faithful+Gould and our parent company Atkins
.
Sustainability and carbon consultancy, together with a whole life cost approach, underpin much of our BREEAM assessment work and we have successfully applied this expertise on many public sector appointments.
We also have a firm grasp of the issues surrounding capital development in both new and existing estates, whole life costing and procurement in the NHS, together with keen anticipation of the many challenges and opportunities inherent in implementing the new BREEAM Healthcare. Our team includes Energy Performance (EPC) Assessors as well as Carbon Reduction Consultants. We provide robust guidance through every stage of the certification process, enabling our healthcare clients to make informed choices, minimise risk and meet their sustainability targets.
Our experience in these areas has led to an exciting collaborative role with SHINE (Sustainable Healthcare in the NHS Estates). SHINE is the Learning Network for Sustainable Healthcare Buildings, and is supported by the Department for Health Estates & Facilities, the London NHS, Community Healthcare Partnerships and Procure 21. We have provided new guidance for SHINE on pre-design stage sustainability decisions, and whole life costing guidance. This collaboration has resulted in an industry guide on sustainability budgeting, endorsed by the Department of Health and due to be published towards the end of the year.
For further information please contact Sean Lockie on 020 7121 3002 / sean.lockie@fgould.com.