ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
At the Neuroscience Research Centre (NeuRA) in Sydney, Australia, PiL installed its DLSB LED recessed, modular, round LED downlights in the main lobby/reception area and cafeteria area.
n Energy wastage: Without smart controls and visibility, hospitals risk losing thousands annually in inefficient usage, undermining sustainability targets and impacting budgets.
n Staff burnout: Poor lighting or unreliable power systems can increase stress and reduce productivity among clinicians and support staff.
n Patient outcomes: In mental health settings specifically, over-lit or under-lit environments can negatively impact recovery. In retirement communities, intuitive systems enhance dignity and independence.
n Future inflexibility: Fixed, siloed systems make it harder to reconfigure spaces or upgrade in line with technological advancements – which can mean significant costs further down the line.
n Public mistrust: Inefficiencies could undermine public trust as they may signal poor resource management, raising concerns about overall accountability and commitment to sustainability.
The pitfalls of a product-first approach Making procurement and design decisions through a product-first lens can appear to offer value in the short term, however choosing specific components – such as distribution boards, switches, or control systems – based on immediate cost, availability, or past precedent can overlook the broader picture and fail to consider how the entire infrastructure operates as a cohesive whole. A piecemeal or overly standardised approach can lead to mismatched systems, poor integration, and limited futureproofing. It may also result in higher lifecycle costs, as components become obsolete, require replacement, or cannot support new technologies. This is especially relevant in healthcare, where regulatory demands, patient expectations, and care delivery models are in constant flux. Moreover, a product-first mindset can ignore the specific needs of different healthcare environments. For example, the electrical needs of a high-dependency unit differ significantly from those of a mental health facility or a community outpatient clinic. Without a broader understanding of the estate’s purpose and priorities, infrastructure design can fall short of what’s required for optimal performance. To truly futureproof their estates, healthcare facility
operators must move away from a transactional view of electrical procurement and instead seek strategic partnerships with electrical infrastructure providers who understand the healthcare landscape and can offer tailored, long-term solutions. This means engaging early – ideally at the planning and design stages – and working collaboratively to develop infrastructure that aligns with both the current
130 Health Estate Journal October 2025
and future needs of the estate. A good electrical partner doesn’t just sell components, they bring insight, foresight, and a whole wealth of technical expertise to the table. They help identify opportunities to improve resilience, efficiency, and adaptability, while also managing cost and regulatory compliance. A truly collaborative approach starts by understanding
the full context. What is the facility’s function? How will it evolve? What are the operational and clinical priorities? What sustainability targets must be met? From here, integrated electrical systems can be designed that will deliver performance today, while allowing for flexibility and innovation tomorrow.
The need to be future fit With modern healthcare in a state of constant evolution, the spaces that are built or refurbished today may well serve an entirely different purpose in five or ten years’ time. A hospital wing may become an outpatient diagnostic centre. A clinic might be adapted to support community outreach or mobile health services. A waiting area could transform into a tech-enabled triage hub for virtual assessments. The reality of this demands that infrastructure is built
for flexibility. Systems must be modular, upgradable, and digitally connected from the outset. This means: n Smart power distribution: Pre-configured systems that can be adapted as demands shift or services expand.
n Inter operable controls: Systems that ‘talk’ to one another – for example lighting, HVAC, and emergency back-up.
n Predictive monitoring: Platforms that flag faults before they escalate and that support data-driven maintenance.
n Energy management: Dashboards that offer real-time energy usage insights and help achieve compliance with Net Zero targets.
n Modularity for maintenance: Interchangeable components that reduce waste, cost, and downtime.
In addition, being future-fit means having infrastructure that: 1. Supports evolving models of care, including virtual, outpatient, and community-based services.
2. Enables smart, connected technologies to enhance safety, wellbeing, and efficiency.
3. Delivers energy efficiency and sustainability gains, contributing to Net Zero goals.
4. Is scalable and serviceable, supporting change without disruption.
5. Improves lifecycle performance, reducing long-term costs and complexity.
6. Is tailored to the specific needs of different healthcare environments.
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