Davis Langdon report: Health sector joins green ratings era

Davis Langdon's research report, Health sector joins green ratings era, examines the costs and benefits of sustainable healthcare facilities.

The report explores why the rationale for green healthcare facilities encompasses not just economic advantage, but also improved patient outcomes, reduced medication costs, reductions in cross-infection rates, better staff health and reduced staff turnover, and community benefit through decreased environmental impacts.

While Green Star healthcare facilities do come at a cost (in the order of 0% to 3% for a 4 Star rating, 3% to 6% for a 5 Star rating and 10%+ for a 6 Star rating) energy and water initiatives alone have the potential to provide reasonable pay back periods that are typically in the order of 8+ years. On top of this, savings from reduced medication, faster patient recovery and reduced staff turnover are expected to significantly outweigh the savings in energy and water.

Long-term operational, financial and health benefits, of which it is anticipated there are many, will only be tested as the boundaries of sustainability in buildings continue to be expanded, and invested in.