Helping the NHS achieve excellence at Chase Farm Hospital

Devised in the 1990s by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is the established method for assessing, rating and certifying the sustainability and environmental performance of buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher–performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbished structures. In 2015, Integrated Health Projects (IHP), a joint venture between VINCI Construction UK Ltd and Sir Robert McAlpine, appointed RSK as the BREEAM Assessor for the programme of construction at the NHS Chase Farm Hospital in the London Borough of Enfield, UK, part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. RSK also acted as the BREEAM Accredited Professional and worked extensively on the project.  

 Our Assessor reviewed all the relevant project data and met with and advised the client on the most economical and environmentally advantageous way of achieving the required rating; this included identifying which credits could be targeted in the pre-assessment and which required additional consultancy, surveys and testing to outline additional costs and/or savings. Throughout the project, the Assessor was available to offer advice and guidance and attend meetings with the design team to streamline the process. We also created and shared letter templates and example evidence to assist the design team in providing compliant evidence. This provided efficiencies for the project and helped to ensure that evidence was compliant first time. 

 We have created several bespoke tools, including a BREEAM credit tracker, which outlines accepted and outstanding evidence, deadline dates and clarification notes. The tool works on a traffic–light system and displays updates and improvements on credit achievement, which focused the team and helped to progress the BREEAM Assessment at Chase Farm Hospital.  

We wrote evidence in real time, so the final reports and assessment tools were updated throughout, which enabled us to submit to the BRE for certification once the final piece of evidence was complete. This saved time overall. The hospital achieved a final BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’, in line with the trust’s requirements. 

 Overall, we wrote evidence in real time, so the final reports and assessment tools were live throughout the project. This alleviated duplication and saved time. We finalised all the data and submitted them for post-construction review assessment. The hospital achieved a final BREEAM rating of excellent and opened ahead of schedule to service the community.