Royal Salisbury Hospital NHS Trust
The Trust faced significant problems with its estate both at its main site and at smaller satellite hospitals, related to inefficient space heating, domestic hot water production, and distribution in some areas. This was adversely affecting the interior climate for patients and staff; represented a Health & Safety risk; was placing an unnecessary burden on running costs; and hampering the Trust's long term strategies.
The Trust needed to address these problems within the constraints of capital rationing, financial goals, and the Strategic Plan for the existing site. The strategic estates plan included a full scale new build project on the main site, but the Trust knew that such a procurement would tie up estate's resources leaving no time to address the problems of satellite hospitals. Guidance and advise was sought.
Honeywell Controls Systems Limited including the senior management of Cynergin, were called in to offer their views, and complete a feasibility study.
An energy survey was carried out at Salisbury General Hospital and Fordingbridge Hospital. and it was determined that immediate steps should be taken at Fordingbridge to ensure reliable heating and DHW service delivery. It was recognised that an Energy Services Performance Contract, compliant with PPP/PFI procurement rules was in danger of being a "Sledge-hammer to crack a nut", but all parties felt the process could be streamlined, and costs kept to a minimum.
The project consisted of replacing old worn-out boilers with modern efficient gas-fired boilers and separate water heaters, the costs of which were subsidised by energy savings from a complete lighting retro-fit, installing new high frequency lamps and ballasts, and water conservation technology. Although ESPC projects enjoy the benefits of scale, despite this project having a Capex of only £600k, it proved than even small schemes can be substantially self-funding.
As the Head of Estates commented, "One of the unquantifiable benefits of this project is that I can sleep better at night, knowing there's one site at least that is being taken care of for the next 15 years, and we didn't invest any of the Trust's money. Honeywell not only installed and commissioned the scheme, but will continue to maintain everything, including parts and replacements, at no additional charge."