GPSJ Autumn 2024 ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 18
GPSJ
NHS & HEALTHCARE
Key Insights from the Healthcare
Estates® 2024 Conference:
Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Infrastructure
The Healthcare Estates 2024
conference in Manchester,
hosted 8-9 October, was a
pivotal event for professionals
across the healthcare
infrastructure sector, bringing
together thought leaders,
experts and practitioners
from estates management,
construction and facility
operations.
This year’s programme was filled
with insightful presentations, panels
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and discussions, offering a deep
dive into the critical challenges and
innovations shaping the future of
healthcare estates. Below are some
of the key takeaways that emerged
from the event.
Sustainability in Healthcare
Estates: More Than Just
Carbon
One of the central themes
running through the conference
was sustainability. This included
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL AUTUMN 2024
conference sessions such as
“Planning the Delivery of Digitised,
Sustainable Modern Healthcare
Facilities, From an Equipment Lens,”
and “Banishing Waste in Capital
Projects – Lean Construction
Lessons from Japan.” These
conversations went beyond the
commonly discussed goal of carbon
neutrality. Sessions highlighted
the growing importance of holistic
sustainability in healthcare estates
— an approach that considers
not just the environmental impact
of facilities but also social and
economic dimensions.
Several keynote speakers
emphasised that while reducing
carbon emissions is critical, true
sustainability in healthcare estates
must also account for patient
outcomes, operational efficiency
and staff well-being. For example,
investing in renewable energy
solutions like solar panels or heat
pumps may lower emissions, but
optimising building performance
to create healthier environments
