The Royal United Hospital in Bath is shining new light on the high standard of services provided by the hospital, following a £1.6m lighting re-fit.
The project, carried out in partnership with lighting specialist Philips, got the go-ahead after the RUH successfully bid for £1.6m from the Department of Health’s Energy Efficient Capital Funding initiative.
Upgrading to LED lighting has transformed the appearance and ambience of clinical areas, corridors, reception spaces and entire wards, while delivering significant energy, cost and carbon savings.
The improvement in lighting has greatly enhanced areas of the hospital which, though perfectly operational, had looked tired; this, in turn, has helped prevent unnecessary and expensive refurbishments.
Howard Jones, Director of Estates and Facilities said: “The project has been transformational in changing the way people perceive the hospital. The funding came about initially as part of a drive towards greater energy efficiency but we have seen many other benefits for staff, patients and visitors.
“It has made the whole hospital feel lighter and brighter; it looks cleaner and people are generally a lot happier with the environment.”
Carbon emissions will be reduced by 2,700 tons each year and yearly savings of up to £400,000 in running costs could also be made. All light fittings are easy to clean, free of fly traps, and have no reflective surfaces once switched off – all factors that aid infection control.
The lighting upgrade has not only had an impact on the aesthetics of the hospital, but has also contributed to the wellbeing of patients. As part of a separate project, the Philips HealWell system was introduced on a ward with a high number of patients with dementia.
The innovative system provides gradually varying light levels throughout the day – mimicking natural daylight. This gives patients a better sense of the passage of time whilst they are in hospital – which is of vital importance in helping patients with dementia feel secured and settled.
The £1.6m project is now being used by Philips as a case study to demonstrate what can be achieved through the clever and effective design and installation of cutting-edge lighting technology in a clinical setting.
