What can neighbourhood health learn from LIFT?

One of the underlying objectives in the neighbourhood health framework published by the Department of Health and Social Care is to cut waste and make the NHS more sustainable, and in reflecting on the achievements of the LIFT programme nationally we can find plenty of positive examples that mirror this, with the lessons learnt can be applied to future developments. 

Across the country, there are 350 community healthcare buildings that are operated through the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme. Set up in 2001, LIFT’s goal was to make health centres fit for the future, bringing modern, collaborative and integrated facilities to the areas that need them most. 

25 years on from the start of LIFT, the success of the programme is exemplified by the health estate in Hull. With 13 LIFT health centres across the city, LIFT Company Citycare and FM provider Sewell Facilities Management have to think outside the box to ensure the facilities continue to be the best place to deliver neighbourhood health services. 

Sustainability is one area where we can make substantial gains. All 13 health centres have had their traditional light fittings replaced by LEDs, saving thousands of pounds on energy bills, and using 25% less energy. 

We’ve also fitted voltage optimisers to all the health centres, further reducing energy consumption. 

As well as cutting energy use, we use the buildings themselves to generate their own power. We’ve installed photovoltaic panels onto the roofs of several health centres to convert sunlight into energy, with more to follow later in the year. We trialled PV panels at East Hull’s Marfleet Health Centre last year, and they generated over 55,000 kWh of power in their first year – enough for over 40% of the health centre’s energy needs. The health centre also exported excess energy to the grid, feeding over 23,000 kWh back last year. 

The installation of the PV panels was funded by NHS company Community Health Partnerships (CHP), who are supporting the NHS ambition to delivery the world’s first net-zero health system.  

Alan Land, Head of Technical Services at CHP, said: “CHP is continuing our collaboration with Citycare to deliver successful sustainability projects, by expanding photovoltaic technology across our LIFT buildings, we are reducing carbon emissions and helping futureproof NHS facilities. 

“Generating clean, onsite electricity also saves thousands of pounds that can be reinvested by our tenants into patient care. These improvements support the NHS’s journey to net zero while making our buildings more efficient and resilient.” 

Tim Wigglesworth, Chief Executive of Citycare, said: 

“It’s vital that LIFT facilities evolve, to ensure they continue to meet the changing needs of the populations they serve. We’re really proud that the Hull LIFT estate has been held up nationally as an exemplar of how successful neighbourhood health centres should be delivered, and we’re determined to make sure our facilities remain the best place to deliver patient care, maximising value for money for the NHS and providing a truly modern healthcare service for patients.” 

Hull’s LIFT health centres are continuing to push boundaries, with energy-saving ‘internet of things’ (IOT) sensors and further renewable energy sources being trialled at a number of sites across the city.