Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has released a new research report based on Freedom of Information (FOI) data from 66 NHS Trusts in England. The findings in The Hidden Cost: Unveiling inefficiencies in the NHS show that nearly one in five Trusts (19.6%) are now spending more than half of their maintenance budgets on emergency repairs.
The NHS is responsible for up to 5% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and the research highlights the growing need for sustainable infrastructure improvements. It also shows that no single organisation can address these challenges alone, and that cross-sector partnerships involving NHS Trusts, government and private-sector experts will be important in supporting progress.
The FOI data shows that nearly half (41%) of Trusts report limited visibility into infrastructure. When faults occur, fewer than a third (27.45%) can repair equipment within one working day, increasing the impact of unplanned outages. And only around one in six Trusts (17.65%) have improved equipment monitoring as part of their Net Zero initiatives.
As hospitals modernise, digital tools are increasingly being used to make equipment performance visible through real-time data. By connecting assets to sensors and software, estate teams gain a clear, continuous view of how equipment is behaving – providing insight comparable to an engineer diagnosing issues around the clock. This enables more proactive, planned maintenance and helps reduce avoidable disruption.
“NHS estates teams work tirelessly to maintain essential infrastructure, often without the asset visibility needed to prevent faults before they disrupt services,” said Kas Mohammed, Vice President of Services, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland. “Digital insight can help shift maintenance from reactive to planned, easing pressure on teams and supporting more resilient, energy-efficient estates.”
