Neutral Hospice Network

A collaborative community dedicated to helping hospices afford carbon neutrality

Through shared experience, resources, best practices and innovative strategies, we support hospices to improve their energy efficiency, reduce their environmental impact and future proof their operations, so that they can continue to serve their patients, staff and the planet in the long term.

Become part of the network Watch the replays

A nurse sitting with an older patient in a bright hospice lounge — 17 hospices in the network, including St Michael's, LOROS and Myton

Why join

Why join the Neutral Hospice Network?

If you're involved in planning, delivering or supporting energy-saving or sustainability initiatives in a hospice setting, the Neutral Hospice Network is here to support you.

By joining this community, you'll gain:

01Expert insight
02Peer support and connection
03Practical guidance
04A shared commitment

An older person's hands held gently by a carer — Hospice UK National Conference 2026

It's in your hands. *What's stopping you?*

Even in the face of challenging world events, hospices can take control of their own futures and make meaningful progress towards greater energy and financial resilience.

Become part of the network Meet us at Stand 27

Launching at the Hospice UK National Conference

Introducing the Rapid Energy Opportunity Assessment

A practical starting point for hospices looking to understand their energy use, uncover savings & identify where to act next.

£2027

A tailored energy assessmentExpert insight. Practical recommendations. Clear next steps.

What's included?

Energy data analysisReview up to 24 months of data.
Contract and tariff reviewBenchmark your current energy arrangements.
Opportunity assessmentIdentify practical ways to reduce energy costs & improve efficiency.
A one-day site visitUnderstand your buildings, operations & energy needs, followed by a debrief.
Efficiency benchmarkingCompare performance against other Network users.

Upcoming events

Come and meet the network

16–18Nov 2026
Hospice UK National Conference

Proud sponsors, for the fourth year running

The Neutral Hospice Network is proud to be sponsoring the Hospice UK National Conference, 16–18 November 2026, for the fourth year running.

This year's theme, 'It's in your hands', explores how, even in the face of challenging world events, hospices can take control of their own futures and make meaningful progress towards greater energy and financial resilience.

Join us for our breakout session at 3.45pm on Monday 16 November, or come and meet the team at Stand 27 throughout the conference. We'd love to talk about what taking action on energy could mean for your hospice.

If you're not attending yourself, encourage your CEO, CFO or clinical leadership team to come and find out more.
- Breakout session3.45pm, Monday 16 November
- Stand27, throughout the conference
26Nov 2026

Next Neutral Hospice Network webinar

No Need to Get Hot and Bothered with Thermostats

Thursday 26 November 2026 | 2pm

Are your hospice buildings too hot, too cold or using more energy than they need to? Effective temperature management is about more than how much energy goes into a building, it's about making sure that energy delivers the right results.

Join us to explore how smarter, simpler heating controls can help hospices manage temperatures more effectively, improve comfort and reduce energy waste.

We'll be joined by Neil Budd, National Sales Director at Heatmiser, who will introduce their intuitive smart temperature management solutions and explain how they can be applied across larger commercial buildings.
Register here

Want updates and invitations to future webinars? Register here

The network today

17 hospices, one shared goal

Hospices across the UK sharing what works on energy, so more of every pound goes back into care.

Your hospice next?

Webinar replays

This session explores the growing importance of renewable heating and cooling for hospices, looking at how changing climate conditions are increasing the need for effective cooling alongside efficient heating. It compares air-to-water heat pumps and air-to-air HVAC solutions, considering performance, carbon impact, costs and suitability for different hospice buildings.
Watch the replay
As solar PV and battery storage costs continue to fall, more hospices are exploring how renewable energy can reduce costs, improve resilience and maximise the benefits of smart tariffs. This session explored the latest developments, practical considerations and real-world lessons from hospice projects.
Watch the replay
Half-hourly settlement and time of use tariffs are reshaping the commercial energy market. Watch our webinar replay to learn what these changes mean for hospices, how flexible energy use can reduce costs, and why technologies such as battery storage are becoming increasingly important.
Watch the replay
A practical session exploring how hot water systems impact energy use in hospice settings, and how safety and Legionella requirements shape system design and operation. Learn where energy is commonly wasted, the key questions to ask, and how to identify confident, compliant opportunities for improvement.
Watch the replay
This session explores recent energy market developments and the accelerating shift to electric vehicles, with practical insights on workplace charging, solar integration and managing site capacity effectively.
Watch the replay
This session revisits the purpose of the Neutral Hospice Network and shares practical reflections from hospice leaders on their energy and sustainability journeys to date. Through real-world examples, speakers discuss what has worked, what they have learned and achieved, and where the biggest opportunities now lie.
Watch the replay

Video library

Stories and insights

Hear from the hospices we're working with, leading the change and shaping their own futures.

Conference interviewsHospice leaders on energy, operations and resilience, filmed at the conference.

Break-out session: Helen and ChrisThis filmed discussion, recorded at the Hospice UK National Conference, features hospice leaders sharing candid reflections on energy, operations and resilience. Helen McVey, CEO of Pendleside Hospice, and Chris Griffiths, Head of Operations at St Michael's and The Rowans Hospices, share honest reflections on what's working in practice, where challenges remain, and where they see the most meaningful opportunities emerging for the sector.

Why heat pumps matter for hospices, now more than ever

A hospice bedroom with a wheelchair beside the bed and a chair by the window

2024 marked the first year global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C Paris Agreement limit, bringing climate change impacts firmly to our doorstep. For hospices, that means dealing with hotter summers, ageing gas boilers and rising energy costs.

Heating is the biggest source of energy use and emissions in hospices. Yet many still rely on gas boilers that are increasingly outdated and inefficient. Heat pumps offer a proven, energy-efficient alternative, and they're more relevant than ever.

Why heat pumps?

3 to 6xmore efficient than gas boilers
Heat and coolprovide both heating and cooling
Below 0°Cwork in sub-zero conditions
Net zeroessential to net zero targets

Heat pumps use electricity to extract heat from the air, ground or water, even in winter. With proper design, they can comfortably heat rooms to hospice standards and offer much-needed cooling during warmer months.

Will they work in hospice buildings?

Yes. Even in older, leaky or complex buildings, heat pumps have been successfully installed. Think churches, heritage buildings and cold climates. The key? Smart system design, including:

Flow temperature, for example

75°C

Lower flow temperatures, for example 35°C instead of 75°C

01Lower flow temperatures (for example 35°C instead of 75°C)
02Long, slow heat delivery for stable comfort
03Correct emitter types (for example fan coils or large radiators)
04Room-by-room heat loss calculations

“Heat pumps aren't new or mysterious. The problem is poor design, not the technology.”
As one expert put it

More than just heating

Many hospices now face overheating in summer. The good news: heat pumps can reverse cycle to cool too, with no separate system needed. To enable cooling, systems must be fitted with:

Suitable emitters (radiators alone won't cool)
Zoned control systems
Flexible seasonal settings

Final takeaways

As energy demands evolve, so must the systems that support care. For hospices, this is more than a technical upgrade; it's a chance to lead with purpose, resilience and sustainability.

Design is critical: success depends on the right setup.
Plan ahead: don't wait for a boiler failure.
Gas is unpredictable: costs and regulation will likely shift.
Modular systems offer resilience: built-in backup ensures continuity.
Change is already happening: across hospitals, hotels and public buildings.

Hospices have unique challenges, but also a unique opportunity to lead in sustainable care. The move away from fossil fuels isn't just possible, it's essential.

A nurse holding the hands of an older couple sitting together on a sofa

Join the conversation

Neutral Hospice Network on LinkedIn

Be part of a growing community working towards more sustainable hospice care.

Follow the Neutral Hospice Network on LinkedIn for insights, webinar invites, event updates and shared experiences from others tackling energy and net zero challenges in real-world settings.

Our partners

The specialists behind every plan

Battery
Solar
Measurement
Energy procurement
Renewable heat
Smart thermostats
Heating engineers
Architects
Energy dashboard