Berwick Hospital’s Approach to Strengthening Patient Comfort

As a not-for-profit organization employing more than 16,000 people, St John of God Health Care reinvests surpluses into upgraded facilities, new services, and community support. Growing environmental expectations added new pressure: Australia’s buildings account for 19% of national energy use and 18% of direct carbon emissions, placing health facilities under greater scrutiny as the country moves toward net zero by 2050.

In response, St John of God Health Care established an Environmental Sustainability Strategy centered on achieving a minimum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. For Berwick Hospital, this meant refining building operations while continuing to deliver safe, comfortable patient care.

During the pandemic, Berwick Hospital identified inconsistent temperatures as a growing challenge. Patients frequently reported rooms being too hot or too cold, disrupting rest and creating additional work for nursing staff. To address this, the hospital implemented advanced Fan Coil Units designed to provide steady, reliable airflow. The upgrade improved room-level temperature stability, reducing complaints and supported a calmer recovery environment.

The HVAC improvements also provided operational gains. Within just 18 months, the hospital achieved 185,550 kWh of cumulative energy savings. These savings allowed staff to redirect resources toward patient-focused initiatives and further sustainability projects.

Ongoing monitoring tools now help ensure the Fan Coil Units continue to operate at optimal efficiency, supporting both patient care goals and the organization’s broader decarbonization strategy.

The success of the HVAC modernization reinformed St John of God Berwick Hospital’s momentum toward its long-term sustainability targets. The initiative demonstrated that patient experience and environmental responsibility can progress together through data-driven decision making and well targeted building upgrades.

St John of God Health Care plans to continue exploring new opportunities that improve efficiency, support clinical operations, and steadily advance toward its 2030 and 2050 goals.

St John of God Health Care is one of Australia’s largest Catholic health care providers, employing more than 16,000 caregivers across Australia and New Zealand. The organization operates hospitals, disability services, outreach programs and social services, with a not-for-profit model. Its Environmental Sustainability Strategy sets out clear targets, including a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.