A major national milestone in sustainable healthcare has been achieved with the opening of the first NHS net-zero building in England.

The Countess of Chester Hospital's new Women and Children’s Building, opened in September 2025, is the first completed NHS facility in England to be verified as compliant with the NHS Net Zero Building Standard.

The development was delivered by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint healthcare venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, and supported by Ecospheric, a sustainability consultancy, to lead on net zero compliance and data-driven decision-making.

Following a rigorous review of the Trust’s submission, NHS England formally confirmed the building’s compliance. While other NHS projects are still underway, this is the first to be completed and verified – setting a precedent for future developments across the country.

To meet NHS Net Zero Building Standard, the Women and Children’s Building includes:

Highly insulated walls, windows and roof to maintain constant indoor temperatures year-round, reducing the need for heating and cooling
Solar panels that generate clean electricity on-site
Smart lighting and ventilation systems that adjust automatically based on occupancy
Eco-friendly building materials, responsibly sourced for minimal environmental impact
A digital control system that tracks energy use and carbon emissions in real time.

The building is fully electric, using no gas, and is designed to become even greener as the UK’s energy grid decarbonises. It also meets BREEAM Excellent standards – a leading sustainability assessment method for buildings – placing it among the top 10% most energy-efficient buildings in the UK.

What a huge achievement - becoming the first hospital in England to attain the NHS Net Zero Building Standard. This milestone not only improves the wellbeing of patients and staff but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable healthcare. The collaboration with the Trust has been fantastic, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together.
Peter Dodd Project Director, IHP

Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This building sets a new benchmark for what modern healthcare should look like; compassionate, inclusive, and future-focused.

"As an anchor institution in Chester, we recognise our responsibility to lead by example, not just in care but in sustainability. Our commitment to net zero is about more than reducing carbon emissions, it is about lowering energy costs, supporting our local community, and improving the environment for the babies being born here today and for generations to come. We are proud to be leading the way, right here in Chester.”

From the earliest planning stages, feedback from staff, patients, and the local community helped shape a space that puts people first. The building’s design reflects a commitment to patient experience, accessibility and wellbeing, including natural light-filled wards and a tree-lined exterior that ensures privacy from every window.

Built over nearly three years, the building was delivered using an innovative zone-by-zone construction method, completing sections in sequence to speed up progress. This approach accelerated delivery without compromising quality.

The 66-bed facility is now home to over 500 staff, making it one of the busiest and most impactful hubs within the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Latest healthcare news

Building Innovation Awards win
09 Oct 2025

Our digital construction team has won a national award for pioneering data-led innovation at the NRC, setting a new benchmark in productivity and planning.

Read more about
SRM celebrates completion of Bamburgh Clinic
30 Sept 2025

The redeveloped 54-bed facility will improve mental health facilities for service users in the North East

Read more about
A day of golf for Maggie’s
29 Aug 2025

Golf day at Remedy Oak raises £2,000 for Maggie’s, supporting those affected by cancer.

Read more about