Lack of air conditioning in new Nantes hospital rooms sparks concern

Concerns are mounting over the absence of air conditioning in the patient rooms of Nantes University Hospital's new facility, scheduled to open in 2028. While the massive hospital complex will have air conditioning in half of its buildings, the patient areas are slated to feature "bioclimatic facades" and a cooling system that relies on "renewal air" rather than traditional air conditioning.

This decision, framed by the hospital as an environmentally responsible choice aimed at reducing energy consumption by a third compared to existing facilities, has drawn criticism from hospital unions. Olivier Terrien, the general secretary of the CGT union at the CHU de Nantes, expressed his dismay, stating, "In the current environmental context, we should have air conditioning everywhere." He indicated plans to raise the issue again with the hospital's management during an upcoming supervisory board meeting.

The CHU de Nantes administration defended its approach, asserting that the new hospital was designed to address current and future climate challenges. They maintain that the chosen systems will ensure optimal thermal comfort for both patients and healthcare professionals while significantly cutting energy usage. Despite these assurances, the lack of air conditioning in patient rooms remains a point of contention, particularly as global temperatures continue to rise.

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In the current environmental context, we should have air conditioning everywhere.