Extreme Heat: Resilience of NHS Infrastructure

Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston Excerpts

Tuesday 30th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The Government are indeed providing trusts with substantial investment—I mentioned just some of it—in these measures, and that is very much in line with the Government’s net-zero ambitions and intent. We are investing £155 million in solar projects and £400 million in heat decarbonisation grants across the NHS. I emphasise that, looking forward, all NHS new builds and major upgrades will align with the net-zero building standard.

[Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (CB)]

My Lords, following the Question from the noble Earl, Lord Russell, before we have all those solar systems in place, I urge the Minister to audit major hospital trusts on their back-up power systems, and in particular to ensure that the refrigeration facilities are available continuously for the storage of medicines, life support systems and all the other essential elements that require electricity.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Yes indeed, and I go back to my point about the £6.75 billion estates safety fund, the whole intention of which is to target the most serious risks, such as those the noble Baroness refers to. Vital projects will attract that funding. They include overheating risks such as broken chillers, outdated air-handling units and, if needed, refrigeration—in other words, where there is a need for urgent upgrades.