Health centre’s new heating system improves efficiency without disrupting service to patients

Our ground-breaking work on the heating system of a multi-use NHS health centre – originally fed by boilers dating back to the 1930s – has led to improved efficiency without disrupting the service to patients.

The overhaul at South Ockendon Health Centre in Thurrock, Essex, is predicted to save Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group over £6,000 a year in energy costs.

The £250,000 project was carried out without any disruption to patients – with the three GP practices and dental surgery remaining open throughout the duration of the works.

The converted 1930s coal boilers were replaced with new and efficient wall hung Ideal Evomax 60 kW boilers, with a temporary boiler plant placed in situ for the duration of the works, allowing the health centre to keep all buildings open with no loss of service.

The single pipe system was replaced with flow and return pipework and new low temperature LST radiators were installed throughout, with thermostatic individual control in each room, close liaison and meticulous planning resulted in the scheme being completed without a single GP appointment being disturbed.

Anni Folan-White, Building Services Engineer at our Cambridge office, said: “It was a challenging brief because the building needed to be in constant use throughout the project.

“However, by using the very latest techniques and working closely with NHS Property Services we were able to manage potential limitations without any loss of service. It was a real achievement.

“The new heating system will provide a more comfortable environment for patients and staff, whilst also substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the building – saving around 28,255kg of CO2 per year, which is approximately equivalent to running five cars for a year.”

Maurisa OConnor, Senior Construction Manager, NHS Property Services (NHSPS), said: “This positive result was only achieved through great collaborative working between NHSPS, our tenants, main contractors, and our consultants, delivering a large and complex project in a live health centre with no disruption to services. This has been a fantastic achievement and has provided a much more efficient and comfortable building for both patients and staff.”