University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) has saved approximately £300,000 so far thanks to a series of projects to improve energy efficiency across the Trust’s hospital sites, forming part of its Green Plan.
The Trust has recently undertaken a comprehensive programme of pipework lagging installation and replacement across all hospital sites. This upgrade ensures that thermal insulation is applied consistently to both heating and hot water systems, significantly reducing heat loss from distribution networks and improving overall system efficiency. By maintaining water temperatures more effectively, the lagging reduces the energy demand on boilers and plant equipment, leading to lower fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions. In addition, properly insulated cold water pipework helps prevent freezing and reduces the risk of bursts and unplanned maintenance. It also minimises condensation, lowering the risk of moisture damage, corrosion, and infection control issues—improving reliability while reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Other improvements have included:
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Upgrading our Air Handling Units (AHUs) – the central systems responsible for bringing in fresh air, filtering it, and controlling temperature and humidity across clinical environments. By integrating these units with advanced Building Management Systems (BMS), the Trust can now optimise operating schedules based on actual demand, ensuring ventilation is maintained where required while avoiding unnecessary runtime. This has significantly reduced energy consumption, improved plant efficiency, and enhanced environmental control for both patients and colleagues.
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Installing energy-efficient LED lighting across hospital sites – replacing outdated lighting in corridors, wards, and departments with modern Light-Emitting Diode (LED) fittings. These upgrades consume substantially less electricity, have a longer operational lifespan, and require minimal maintenance. In addition to delivering cost savings, they improve lighting quality and consistency, supporting safer and more comfortable clinical environments.
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Upgrading steam systems through the installation of a modern, monitored steam trap network – including the installation of steam trap sensors across services such as heating and sterilisation. These sensors enable continuous identification of failed or underperforming traps, allowing maintenance teams to respond more quickly and effectively. This improved responsiveness reduces steam losses, which are a significant source of wasted energy in steam systems. As a result, the upgrades enhance system reliability, reduce fuel consumption and maintenance requirements, and support the Trust’s transition towards more efficient, lower-carbon heating systems in line with NHS Net Zero ambitions.
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Installing 2,230 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels across our three main hospital sites – generating renewable electricity on-site to directly offset grid consumption. This reduces exposure to rising energy costs while contributing to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The solar installations form a key part of the Trust’s long-term energy strategy, increasing resilience, improving sustainability performance, and supporting the wider Green Plan objectives.
These initiatives will save approximately £459,000, supporting the Trust’s financial sustainability and reducing exposure to rising energy costs. Based on standard NHS carbon conversion factors, these measures are delivering an estimated annual reduction of 400–500 tonnes of CO₂e across the Trust.
The UHMBT Green Plan supports the NHS’s national ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 for directly controlled emissions, and by 2045 for those it influences. It outlines ten main areas of work, including sustainable models of care, estates and facilities, travel and transport, nature and biodiversity and digital transformation.
Luke Phillips, a former Plumber at Westmorland General Hospital, was appointed to the role of Energy and Special Projects Manager and has helped to drive the improvements forward. The unique role – the first of its kind for the Trust -focuses on the leadership of energy performance and decarbonisation of the hospital sites.
Luke, Energy and Special Projects Manager for OneLSC, said: “The introduction of my role has enabled a more structured, coordinated and proactive approach across our three main hospital sites, ensuring estate developments align with Green Plan priorities and NHS Net Zero targets.
“During the two-year period, the Trust has made significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and modernising our hospital buildings and sites. This includes the delivery of a wide range of initiatives such as upgrading critical infrastructure, installing renewable energy generation, and enhancing how we monitor and manage energy use across our estate. As a result, we are improving the resilience and performance of our facilities and creating a more sustainable and efficient environment for patients, colleagues, and visitors and achieving measurable financial savings.”
The next steps for the Trust include further decarbonisation and electrification of the estate, including:
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The installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at Furness General Hospital (FGH) – supporting the transition of NHS lease and fleet vehicles from petrol and diesel to electric. This infrastructure will enable reliable on-site charging for colleagues and operational vehicles, reducing fuel costs, lowering emissions, and supporting the wider shift towards a zero-emission fleet in line with NHS Net Zero requirements.
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Exploration of charging solutions for ambulance services in collaboration with regional partners – working alongside ambulance trusts and system partners to understand the infrastructure requirements for emergency fleets. This includes assessing high-capacity charging, operational resilience, and site suitability to ensure electric ambulances can be deployed effectively without impacting response times or service delivery.
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Moving away from steam boilers at FGH and Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) – transitioning from ageing, carbon-intensive steam systems to modern low-carbon heating solutions such as heat pumps. This programme will significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve overall system efficiency, and form a key part of the Trust’s long-term decarbonisation strategy, while also improving resilience and reducing maintenance demands across the estate.
Dave Sanderson, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “This work represents a critical step in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning towards low-carbon heating solutions across the Trust.
“The establishment of a dedicated energy and sustainability role has enabled the Trust to move from a largely reactive position to a structured and proactive programme of delivery. This has resulted in significant and measurable carbon savings, substantial recurring financial efficiencies and improved estate performance, resilience, and energy data visibility.”