Supporting the NHS - Q1 2024

WRITTEN BY Jonathan Evans Director, Communications and Events, ABHI

THealthtech revolution: transforming the NHS and global healthcare

Healthcare systems around the world are grappling with significant challenges. From the growing demand of ageing populations to a shortage of professionals and exhausted workforces, a different approach is essential.

echnology can be the driver of change. In the NHS, we are witnessing how health technologies have emerged as a critical solution to supporting the workforce, streamlining processes and alleviating pressures on the healthcare system. This, alongside the significant benefits they bring to patients, can save and enhance lives every day.

How healthtech drives change

By automating routine tasks, and with utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI), technology can handle administrative duties like appointment scheduling, data entry and billing. By relieving healthcare staff of time-consuming tasks, they can dedicate more energy to patient care — reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction.

Improving accessibility

The need for in-person interaction with doctors will persist, but telemedicine is also growing in relevance, allowing patients to receive consultations and follow-up care remotely. This not only reduces the need for in-person appointments but also enables healthcare providers to serve patients in underserved rural areas. Such technology also increases accessibility to healthcare services and minimises the strain on NHS facilities — freeing up resources for critical cases.

Detection and data are key

In the realm of diagnostics, healthtech has been a game-changer.

Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT scans, have improved the speed and accuracy of disease detection. Moreover, AI-powered algorithms can analyse medical images and provide rapid insights. This not only improves patient outcomes and treatment planning but also decreases the time and resources required for diagnosis, reducing bottlenecks in the system.

The use of electronic health records (EHRs) is another example of technology streamlining healthcare processes. EHRs store patient information electronically, allowing for quick access and seamless sharing of medical data among healthcare providers. This reduces the risk of duplicate tests, errors and lost records, ultimately enhancing quality of care while saving time and resources.

Empowering patients

Wearable healthtech fosters patient engagement, enabling a proactive approach to healthcare with early intervention and personalised treatment plans. Emphasising prevention is crucial to reducing strain on the NHS and thwarting the progression of chronic illnesses.

Promising future for healthcare

These are but a few examples of how healthtech products and services can alleviate pressures on the healthcare system. Such advancements will only become more prominent, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for the NHS and its dedicated workforce.

How digital healthcare solutions are supporting the NHS today

Find solutions from various healthcare innovators tackling NHS challenges today. From funding to remote monitoring, they can offer support.

The NHS’s main challenges include short-term pressures impacting investment, capacity issues, staff shortages and insufficient focus on prevention. The Digital Healthcare Council (DHC) members offer innovative solutions.

Digital healthcare solution for easier investment decisions

Lilli has launched a fund in response to overcoming some of the major challenges facing the health and social care sector. It will match fund organisations to harness remote monitoring technology to help them expedite solutions to their key needs, increase efficiencies, savings in time, resources and money and improve health outcomes.

Creating additional capacity in the system

Our members have created innovative technologies to support people at home. Alder Hey NHS Foundation

WRITTEN BY Catherine Davies Director, Digital Healthcare Council

to improve bed allocation decisionmaking. This has helped hospitals shorten waiting times for patients.

Optimising NHS clinician and staff time HBSUK helps NHS providers reduce waiting times by providing online outpatient services and on-site clinical capacity resulting in 50% fewer patients having to attend a hospital for an appointment. Visiba offers AI-enabled patient triage and is NHS England’s partner for AI triage in urgent care.

Evergreen Life has a wellbeing platform that empowers people to take control of their own health records and improve their health and happiness –with elements spanning both primary and secondary care. eMed is working to democratise healthcare through its digital-first primary care service and chronic healthcare management solutions.

Prioritising prevention and keeping people well

Transforming diagnostics, remote care and operational efficiency with AI

Find out how AI is revolutionising healthcare in Wales. From cancer diagnostics to pain management, we’re fostering innovation for better patient outcomes.

WRITTEN BY Cari-Anne Quinn Chief Executive Officer, Life Sciences Hub Wales

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is helping to enhance patient outcomes and deliver more effective services. This, in turn, can address major challenges such as workforce, cost and demand pressures.

Supportive innovation hub in Wales

In Wales, we foster a supportive, safe and collaborative environment for AI innovation, facilitating development to the implementation of solutions at a national scale by engaging the right stakeholders, including developers, manufacturers and healthcare workers. As a collaborative, Wales is making sure that AI is used safely and transparently by continually developing regulatory and governance arrangements.

We’re home to robust, trusted research environments such as the SAIL Databank, which holds a wealth of populationscale data. Additionally, there’s a rich pool of graduate talent and centres of excellence across Welsh universities. Programmes like the Wales Data Nation Accelerator foster collaboration and innovation.

AI advancing cancer diagnostics

Incredible work is going on across Wales. Cardiff-based JIVA.AI have successfully evaluated an AI diagnostic aid for prostate cancer in Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB).

In digital pathology, Betsi Cadwaladr UHB leads in trialling the IBEX AI platform. Further testing is underway across six health boards, with ambitions to integrate this technology into routine prostate cancer testing across Wales and to explore opportunities in the diagnosis of additional cancers.

How digital is delivering smoother and more efficient access to healthcare

Learn how digital healthcare can widen access to health systems, reduce inequality of care, personalise treatment pathways and improve patient outcomes.

Today’s health systems struggle to increase access amid limited resources, complex needs and changing patient demand. However, digital solutions can enhance primary care and increase capacity, insists Lyndsey Reeves, Director of UK Operations at digital healthcare provider, Livi.

Accessible care through digital innovation

Digital-first primary care optimises clinician time and resources, tailors treatment paths, reduces expenses and, importantly, expands patient access. For example, if a GP practice integrates innovations such as video appointments and digital practice management tools into existing systems, it could reach more patients and increase efficiency.

“We need solutions that enable

AI in pain management

AI is being deployed in a social care setting in Gwent to support pain management. Technology by PainChek provides baseline assessments of pain experienced by people with limited or no communicative ability.

Administrative and communication efficiencies

Healthcare providers are using AI for automating administrative tasks and optimising hospital operations, including patient flow, bed management, staff resources and ambulance responses.

AI-powered chatbots are helping clinical teams support patients at Velindre University NHS Trust, specialising in cancer services. They have developed RITA with IBM Watson Assistant, which answers a variety of cancer-focussed. frequently asked questions and directs users to relevant information.

Driving health progress in Wales

AI innovation is positively impacting patients, staff and our wider economy. Life Sciences Hub Wales is driving progress through support, guidance and signposting services. Mike Emery, Chief Digital Officer for NHS Wales says: “Wales is a forward-thinking destination for AI innovation, thanks to our cross-sector collaboration and how we progress ethical AI adoption in health and social care. We’re delighted to be working closely with Life Sciences Hub Wales to drive this forward.”

underserved communities, offering scalable care pathways designed for patients and simplifying access to the right care, at the right time.

greater access,” says Reeves. “Digital is a huge part of that because it gives patients the opportunity to access care from wherever they happen to be.”

Combining clinical resources with technology to offer digital consultations, practices can increase capacity to meet patient demand and tap into a remote GP workforce across the country.

Digital tools including messaging platforms can improve patient engagement, enabling patients to book or manage appointments and access wellbeing and self-care advice. Remote monitoring and batch messaging tools facilitate video consultations and enable practices to send automatic reminders, questionnaires and messages.

When integrated into healthcare systems and combined with care provision, digital solutions reach

Supporting the digital transformation of healthcare However, challenges must be overcome. Government can do more to support the transformation of healthcare by helping the NHS connect with digital infrastructure and systems partners at scale, argues Reeves. Currently, partnerships are too small and funding for digital solutions is too localised and short-term — so the answer is the development of a national, long-term funding strategy.

“NHS England’s General Practice Forward View (published in 2016) committed to five years of funding to facilitate the implementation of digital solutions such as bulk messaging software and WiFi in practices,” she says. “Something similar is needed now so that further solutions can be put in place over a longer period of time.”

Reeves believes that patients would welcome it because, these days, they don’t need persuading to embrace digital tech. “Digital has a huge role to play in helping patients to connect the dots in their care journeys, particularly for those living with long-term conditions and chronic illness,” she says. “We should be able to access care in the way that suits us, via a number of digital platforms.”

WRITTEN BY Matthew Taylor Chief Executive, NHS Confederation

Priorities that will shape health technology success in the NHS

Learn how the NHS can harness health technology, empower patients and bridge workforce gaps for optimal care with strategic digital transformation.

To provide faster, optimal care for patients, the NHS must harness innovations in healthcare technology. However, the most cutting-edge medical software will not improve productivity or patient care without the right digital processes and governance in place for staff, or if the IT infrastructure is outdated and unusable.

Capital funding for NHS digital technology

The health service needs sufficient capital funding to invest in cuttingedge technology and to streamline the entire process — from identifying issues to improving technology infrastructure. NHS Confederation’s recent report shows England has invested less in health capital over several decades compared with similar nations.

the NHS has severe problems with recruitment and retention. Thousands of vacant roles significantly hinder the goal of a digital healthcare system. A workforce plan for digital roles will significantly address gaps in workforce capacity, capability and diversity.

This is also a transitional year for the Federated Data Platform (FDP), a promising data interoperability and information-sharing platform. Our members are keen to see how FDP plays out; success will be gauged by how widely it is adopted and how it improves services.

Neglecting digital technology, staff and infrastructure could leave the NHS stagnant,

A common issue is providers being unable to communicate efficiently, and parts of the system lack the necessary data insight to meet patient demand. Inadequate investment directly impacts patients, staff and productivity. After the next election, increased capital spending should be a top priority for new investments.

Expanding a digital healthcare workforce

The right workforce is also crucial. We have been eagerly awaiting the digital data and technology (DDaT) workforce plan. This is a highly skilled and specialised workforce, but

Empowering patient participation

Importantly, patients and carers are empowered by access and control to their health information, allowing greater flexibility and autonomy over their data. The NHS App, patient initiated follow-up (PIFU), wearable technology and virtual wards allow patients to personalise their own care. However, we still need to make the NHS App compatible with external existing apps that patients use, as well as integrate data better.

Neglecting digital technology, staff and infrastructure could leave the NHS stagnant, with only a few impressive tools or software that people can’t effectively use. By systematically focusing on essentials — a welldesigned digital care approach, a skilled workforce and appropriate funding — we can look forward to better care across the country.

Inclusive social care workforce strategy: how it can revitalise NHS services

Discover the urgent need for a long-term Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy to fortify NHS services. Join the dialogue shaping the future of healthcare.

Implementing a comprehensive social care workforce strategy is crucial for revitalising NHS services. Whilst the care workforce pathway is promising, there remains a compelling need for a dedicated, long-term Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy to futureproof the adult social care sector over the next 10–15 years.

Lacking social care workforce plan

The absence of a parallel workforce plan for the social care sector, currently grappling with 152,000 vacancies, poses a substantial risk to realising the goals outlined in the longterm NHS Workforce Plan. One of the significant hurdles is the integration of the health and care sectors, given the existing disparities in pay scales.

Without swift measures to address funding and workforce shortages, essential services face extinction, exacerbating demands on the NHS and councils while leading to escalating levels of unmet social care needs in local communities. After enduring more than a decade of stagnant social care funding, and with an impending general election, the time has come for bold policies that address core issues.

Integrated social care strategy

A well-defined strategy would not only address existing challenges in social care but also seamlessly integrate with the NHS’s long-term workforce plan. This integration is crucial for creating a cohesive and sustainable healthcare system.

Investing in social care is an investment in pressure alleviation for the NHS. Timely and effective social care interventions can prevent the escalation of health issues, reducing the strain on emergency services and hospital admissions. This proactive approach not only enhances patient care but also fosters a more efficient and costeffective healthcare system.

Addressing healthcare interconnection

Britain’s next government must prioritise the creation of a long-term social care workforce plan. This plan should address the challenges faced by the sector, ensuring its ability to seamlessly complement the NHS and contribute to a resilient healthcare system.

Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group recognise the urgency of this matter and will be holding a pivotal event on the adult social care workforce in March, inviting stakeholders to contribute to the dialogue and shape the future of healthcare in the UK. It is time to recognise the interconnectedness of social care and the NHS for a healthier and more sustainable future.

WRITTEN BY Jasmin Adebisi Policy Manager (Health), Policy Connect

WRITTEN BY Peter Dowd Labour MP for Bootle, and Officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group

Using digital technology to improve patient health — and the planet’s health

Discover the pivotal link between planetary and human health. Learn how digitalised care can empower patients and safeguard our planet’s future.

INTERVIEW WITH Chris Taylor

Sustainability Lead, Philips UK and Ireland

WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

Healthcare contributes 4.4% of global CO2 emissions. Maybe that doesn’t sound like much, says Chris Taylor, Sustainability Lead, Philips UK and Ireland — until you realise it means everything, from CT scans to anaesthesia, is creating a bigger carbon footprint than the likes of aviation (approximately 2%) and shipping (approximately 3%).

Healthcare emissions harming human health

If the healthcare sector were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter on the planet. There’s an intrinsic link between the growth of carbon emissions and deterioration in human health. “There are warnings about extreme heat in the summer and how increased temperatures enable the migration of pathogens,” explains Taylor. “Meanwhile, clean air studies show the negative impact that air pollution can have on human health.”

The World Health Organization predicts the climate crisis will lead to 250,000 additional deaths from conditions such as malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress between 2030 and 2050. So, everyone, from health and climate leaders to healthcare partners and clinicians, must create more sustainable patient pathways caring for both people and the planet.

How technology makes healthcare more sustainable

buildings,” says Taylor. Our NHS is now challenged with using fewer raw materials, moving from capital purchases and embracing the circular economy.

Another universal concern is the carbon footprint caused by patient and clinician travel. “Digitalised — or connected — care is key,” adds Taylor. “With the latest technology, senior physicians can support junior staff remotely by using native digital systems while telehealth growth will see patients monitored and attended in their homes via wearable devices.

“Digital innovation delivering better patient outcomes by reducing travel and lowering carbon emissions is a win.”

A hospital will produce 2.5 times more CO2 gases than commercial buildings.

The most energy-intensive areas of health services include supply chains and hospital buildings. “A hospital will produce 2.5 times more CO2 gases than commercial

Energy-saving water dispensers reduce spread of infections across hospitals

Mitigating the fight against infection in hospitals, water dispenser technology is ensuring care standards and ensuring hygienic, safe drinking water for patients and hospital staff.

INTERVIEW WITH

World Water Day, March 22nd, prompts us to consider the critical role water plays in the healthcare environment. Clean, safe drinking water is a staple care requirement, but many NHS trusts have removed water dispensers due to infection risk.

Importance of water for health

WRITTEN BY Bethany Cooper

Water is fundamental to life and essential to recovery and wellbeing. From a simple glass of water aiding that regular pill intake to providing that all-important first sip of water post-surgery, safe and clean water plays a crucial role in patient recovery and staff wellbeing.

Drinking water infection risk

In the last few years, hospital trusts have been removing water coolers due

As AI becomes more commonly utilised and designed to support clinicians, opportunities to improve care will only increase.

Immediate action required for sustainability

For the UK to reach net zero targets, immediate action is necessary in healthcare to foster sustainability and empower patients.

Collaboration among NHS stakeholders — including NHS Foundation Trusts, suppliers, associations and community groups — is vital for finding solutions and sharing best practices.

At Philips, we’re vocalising this need for sustainable change through our newly launched Care Means the World platform. “It’s in all our interests to work together to transform care models and lower carbon emissions, for a future that cares for people and the planet without compromise,” insists Taylor.

to increased infection risk. Legionella, viruses and waterborne pathogens can be present in the water, posing a significant risk of waterborne illness and infections, especially when consumed by those with immune deficiencies.

With touch transmission of germs on drinking water systems in high footfall areas providing additional infection control risks, it is unsurprising that NHS trusts are looking for alternative water provision measures.

New water cooler technology to improve patient outcomes

Recently adopted by King’s College Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital in London, is Borg & Overström’s E6 Chilled-only water dispenser. Paul Colebrook, Public Sector Consultant at Borg & Overström, explains how this breakthrough cooler, which

has been designed for use in NHS hospitals, mitigates infection control risk.

“A shortened, single water pathway minimises wetted area and the risk of dead legs where bacteria can harbour.

Viovandt® UV-C purification and 3M

Carbonless filtration further mitigate risk of legionella and waterborne pathogens — which make it not only appropriate but ideal for the hospital environment,” explains Colebrook. Unique, patented SensorBeam® touch-free dispenser with projection mapping technology, eliminates the touch transfer of germs, ensuring infection control is addressed at every instance.

NHS water quality standards

Designed to meet the rigorous NHS water quality standards, recent testing by independent water hygiene professionals Envirocloud showed no legionella detected in poured drinking water, despite being present in around 50% of the incoming water supply samples.

UK manufacturer Borg & Overström’s hygienic, sustainable water solutions are developed to reduce carbon and plastic footprint while the latest energy-saving technology can save up to 70% on energy running costs. Safe and sustainable water is a much-needed resource within care environments, providing essential drinking water for staff, visitors and patients.

Paid

WRITTEN BY Jessica Hooper Researcher, The Health Policy Partnership

How high-quality care pathways can revolutionise healthcare across the NHS

Enhance patient outcomes, streamline processes and meet NHS targets. Learn the impact of evidence-driven care pathways on healthcare quality.

Care pathways play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of care people receive from admission to discharge while improving outcomes, system processes and the optimisation of resources across the health system. A number of care pathways have already been successfully implemented across the National Health Service (NHS), but more are needed — particularly for rarer conditions.

Care pathways essential for high-quality care

Care pathways embody a holistic approach to care, aimed at improving the quality of care people receive.

Care pathways achieve this by supporting efficient referrals between professionals and departments, along with introducing treatments promptly and reducing the likelihood of using resources unnecessarily.

people than ever before are waiting for treatment, and people are waiting longer for emergency care and cancer diagnoses.

Innovative policy change is needed to achieve the ambitious targets set out by the NHS and UK Government to improve patient experiences and outcomes. Care pathways offer a foundation for optimal, efficient care and support the NHS prioritisation of integrated care.

Care pathways offer a foundation for optimal, efficient care and support the NHS prioritisation of integrated care.

Globally, the development and implementation of care pathways are emerging. The NHS has already recognised their value, as shown through the development of the NHS England rapid cancer diagnostic and assessment pathways, as well as the NHS Wales national optimal pathway for vague symptoms, among others.

Where health innovation is concerned, 15 approaches are better than one

Learn how 15 health innovation networks localise innovations to address unique community needs, ensuring personalised healthcare solutions nationwide.

In England, 1.2 million see a GP, 250,000 have an outpatient visit and 50,000 visit A&E daily. Demand for services has never been greater; the ageing population is presenting with more co-morbidities and complex needs. With no signs of easing up, there is a greater need for NHS innovation in the NHS. However, innovation is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Health innovation tailored to local needs

Innovation, like any large-scale policy or transformation plan, requires tailored adaptation and personalisation to fit the unique needs of diverse populations. That’s why the 15 health innovation networks, charged with delivering spread and adoption of innovation in the NHS, are embedded in local regions and focus on matching promising innovations with their specific population needs.

Each health innovation network works closely with its respective integrated care boards (ICBs), to translate national policy into local innovation programmes. This approach enables innovation to address national targets while addressing unique local challenges through tailored strategies, whether it’s redesigning clinical services, introducing new technology or implementing novel therapies.

Local projects address specific health issues

As a result, care pathways help to improve outcomes, streamline processes and promote effective implementation of the latest guidelines, standards and protocols. Care pathways have been identified by The King’s Fund as crucial tools for reducing waiting times, which in turn will improve patient satisfaction and quality of care.

Care pathways and the NHS

It is no secret that the NHS faces major challenges in workforce capacity, as well as in sufficiency and organisation of resources. More

Care pathways are also being developed by charities and patient organisations across the UK. For example, Neuroendocrine Cancer UK, along with a variety of stakeholders, has developed a care pathway for people living with neuroendocrine cancer in England.

Relieving pressure on strained health systems

Addressing the challenges faced by the NHS is undoubtedly complex. However, sustainable progress can be realised through the creation and effective implementation of care pathways that are consensus-driven and informed by the latest scientific evidence and guidelines.

The Innovation for Healthcare Inequalities Programme (InHIP) has projects across England funded to utilise technologies and medicines that align with the Core20PLUS5 approach to tackling healthcare inequalities. Each project was designed and developed by local health innovation networks, in partnership with their local health systems, to make sure that those most in need within their geography would benefit from innovation.

In practice, this involved a focus on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing and smoking cessation to improve respiratory conditions in young people in Manchester; prescribing direct-acting oral anticoagulants to improve cardiac problems in North West London; and addressing heart failure in coastal North Devon.

From community to national health

While the collective impact of all these projects contributes to the national targets, local tailoring allows the health innovation networks to better align their activities with local priorities — and therefore, their local population. Working collaboratively allows for learning to be spread more quickly. Being part of the Health Innovation Network allows us to build and harness local expertise and deliver national impact.

WRITTEN BY Dr Phil Jennings

Vice Chair of the Health Innovation Network, formerly the AHSN Network

Health record digitisation: a keystone to unlocking the potential for AI in healthcare

Digitise health records with a comprehensive automation service. Save time and costs and reduce carbon footprint while ensuring accurate, accessible patient data for superior care.

As the NHS continues to work through a backlog of medical procedures and increasing demand for services, it is more important than ever to recognise the digital-first ambitions laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan. Digital technology has the potential to offer more productive, systematic and individualised healthcare systems, contributing to the heightened call for sustainable healthcare.

Health records automation service

Peter Mann, Digital Strategy Lead at Xerox, offers insights into the work being done alongside numerous NHS trusts to digitise patient records and its importance for effective clinical practice.

Xerox provides a unique health records automation service, taking full responsibility for the management and facilitation of digitising paper medical records. The service affords doctors and nurses the time they truly need to focus on patient care.

Benefits of health record digitisation

The advantages of health record digitisation come in many forms, with time being the most critical. Alongside this are huge cost savings in admin and storage fees, significant carbon savings and the ability to ensure the accuracy and availability of medical data at all times.

The integrated care system has the structure available for multi-facility, multidisciplinary access, with features allowing for automated letters,

virtual consultations and direct room bookings. Moreover, as AI develops, the possibilities will expand — as long as patient data is available in a digital format.

Investing in a paperless NHS

According to the most recent NHS annual survey, £238 million is spent each year on storage for paper health records. Mann highlights the importance of ‘acknowledging that figure.’ A paperless NHS is not yet a reality, as it requires time and resources to implement — and Xerox is striving to take the reigns.

Harnessing the potential of AI

In an age where technology is rapidly advancing, we need patient data to be digitised to harness AI’s potential in eliciting high-level care. Considering a new AI project for the detection of early signs of pre-eclampsia, Mann explains: “A paper record cannot facilitate the recognition of preeclampsia in this way; the data has to be digitised for this initiative to work. Paper health records are the slowest moving object in a rapidly moving healthcare system.”

In embracing this ambition, the imperative to digitise health records becomes clear, offering efficiency gains and cost savings and unlocking AI’s potential to deliver patient-focused and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Xerox is supporting the NHS in drawing in a new era of sustainable healthcare. Find out more on xerox.co.uk/health

Solar car parks cut hospital energy costs and provide EV charging

Hospitals can address rising energy costs, NHS budget pressures and the need for EV charging infrastructure with solar car parks. Reduce electricity bills and carbon emissions by generating your own renewable energy onsite.

As a designer, funder, installer and operator of solar car parks (SCPs), 3ti® supports the NHS with solar energy from car parks. It is a low-cost, lowcarbon and innovative way to supply buildings and EV charge points with clean solar power, enabling customers to generate their own renewable energy.

Advantages of solar car parks

Integrating local mains electricity with solar power, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and electric vehicle (EV) charge points can provide organisations with reliable, clean energy while offering low-carbon, fast EV charging.

We get businesses and vehicles

‘Driving on Sunshine®’ by deploying

large-scale solar arrays in car parks, on wasteland and rooftops while growing an extensive, reliable EV charging network with our easy-to-install popup, mini solar car park, Papilio3®.

EV charging access and cost savings

With around 50% of UK households unable to charge EVs at home, destination and workplace solar car parks are a cost-effective and accessible charging infrastructure solution. They contribute to achieving net zero emissions targets by 2050 and establish optimised EV charging infrastructure ahead of the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles.

Hospitals can save around £1,000 annually for every parking space covered with a solar array. A hospital with a car park of 250 spaces could

save up to £250,000 a year on energy costs. The car park is already there — hospitals can secure cheaper electricity supply, reduce carbon emissions and provide EV charging infrastructure without any capital expenditure.

Hospitals adopting solar car parks

Eastbourne District General Hospital is the first hospital to install a solar car park with integrated EV charge points in the UK. As high energy users, the hospital will make significant cost and carbon savings by generating its own renewable electricity and reducing reliance on electricity from the national grid. It will produce 1,000MWh of solar-generated electricity annually and lower CO2 emissions by 222 tonnes in the first year.

Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Scotland is the first hospital to install a Papilio3 pop-up solar car park and EV charging hub, providing hospital users with access to 12 charge points, boosted by renewable energy.

Solar car parks are a win-win: low-cost and low-carbon electricity for the hospital; car park users benefit from shelter and lighting provided by the canopies; staff with EVs can charge at work. These hospitals prove how simple it can be to transform car parks into renewable energy sources and ‘Leave Something Better Behind®’ for future generations.

WRITTEN BY Ben Marchant Chief Operating Officer, 3ti Energy Hubs Ltd