Countess of Chester opens first NHS net-zero building
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has opened England’s first NHS building to be officially verified as meeting the NHS Net Zero Building Standard.
The new Women and Children’s Building, located at the Countess of Chester Hospital site, was confirmed compliant by NHS England in September 2025. It is the first completed and verified project under the standard, introduced in 2023 to support the NHS’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions.
Adam Hope, Director of Estates & Facilities at the Countess of Chester Hospital, said: “This is a proud moment for our hospital, our community, and the wider NHS. We’ve created a space that’s clinically outstanding, welcoming, and environmentally responsible. It shows what’s possible when sustainability is embedded from the very beginning.”
To meet the NHS Net Zero Building Standard, the facility incorporates highly insulated walls, windows and roofing to reduce the need for heating and cooling, solar panels to generate electricity, and smart systems that automatically manage lighting and ventilation. Eco-friendly materials were used throughout, and a digital control system monitors energy use and emissions in real time.
Fully electric and designed without gas, the building’s sustainability will increase as the national energy grid becomes greener. It also meets BREEAM Excellent standards, placing it among the UK’s top 10% most energy-efficient buildings.
A new role, the Net Zero Carbon Coordinator, was introduced to oversee carbon-related decisions during construction. The role is now being viewed as a model for future NHS projects.
Feedback from staff, patients and the local community helped shape the design, which prioritises accessibility, wellbeing and patient experience.
Features include light-filled wards and clinics, tree-lined exteriors for privacy, wide corridors and automatic doors, lift access to all floors, and baby feeding rooms on every level. The building also includes a Changing Places facility for people with complex disabilities and hearing loop systems at reception desks.
Outdoor areas include landscaped courtyards, sensory and play spaces, and a neonatal garden. A therapeutic garden installation offers a quiet space for reflection and wellbeing.
Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “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.”
Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England, said: “Congratulations Countess of Chester Hospital. It’s fantastic to see this landmark achievement. We published the NHS Net Zero Building Standard back in 2023 to support the NHS and our partners to design and build healthcare facilities that limit harmful emissions, improve energy efficiency and resilience, and support better healthcare environments for patients and staff.”
Construction was completed over nearly three years using a zone-by-zone method developed to maximise value from £110 million of government funding under the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) programme. The Women and Children’s Building officially opened on 8 September 2025 and now accommodates 66 beds, most of them single rooms with ensuite facilities, and over 500 staff.
The project was delivered by IHP, a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, with sustainability consultancy Ecospheric leading on net-zero compliance.
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