LIGHTING
Lighting should be suitable for the area and be even, for example without pools of light and/or dark areas, stripes or shadows. Energy-saving/motion- activated lighting is acceptable, but should be designed to respond quickly and to light the area well, particularly in long corridors, lifts or areas where there is no natural light. Bulbs should be working.
The Society of Light and Lighting’s (SLL) updated LG02 Lighting for healthcare premises guidance published in 2019 also gives very detailed guidance on lighting for each and every part of a hospital setting – even for helicopter pads and car parks. While the SLL acknowledges the limited scientific
Luminance levels are considered with existing lighting systems to avoid glare.
do not replace the physiological benefits of natural sunlight, they can help reduce the sense of enclosure often experienced in internal hospital spaces. One example of a successful installation is at the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s oncology unit. To support cancer patients having radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the Trust’s Big Plus Fund arranged for sky ceilings (panels) to be installed to enhance patient experience. Meanwhile, at Lincoln County Hospital’s maternity ward, it was reported that some midwives were suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the lack of natural light made their symptoms worse. After exploring several options, the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity paid for ceiling panels to help staff morale and improve patient experience. Within the cardiology department at MKUH, the
Callum Biscoe
Callum co-founded the business after beginning his career over a decade ago as an electrician. Now serving as commercial director, he leads the company’s commercial strategy, overseeing project performance, client relationships, and financial delivery. His focus is on driving value, managing risk, and ensuring projects are delivered in line with both client expectations and broader business objectives. Outside of work, Callum is an avid chess player, a pursuit that continues to sharpen his strategic thinking and decision-making.
imagery selected for the installation was intentionally neutral and familiar rather than stylised. The aim was to create a subtle sense of openness without distracting from clinical processes. Luminance levels were considered with existing lighting systems to avoid glare and excessive contrast.
Supporting staff wellbeing Environmental design can also affect healthcare staff working within these spaces. The NHS is one of the largest employers in the world, with around 1.3 million full-time equivalent staff working across the health service in England. Studies published in The Journal of Emergency Medicine (via NAHN) suggest that visual art, colour, and nature elements in healthcare environments may promote job satisfaction and help reduce staff stress in high- pressure clinical settings. When clinical environments prioritise visual comfort and
environmental quality, the benefits can therefore extend beyond patients to the professionals delivering care.
Governance and technical approval In NHS environments, environmental enhancements are subject to established governance and technical approval processes. At the most basic level, the NHS’s Patient-Led
Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) requirements say of lighting: Natural light should be available wherever possible.
Where artificial lighting is used, this should be adequate to maintain normal daily activity and provide enough light to make areas bright and easy to walk through.
182 Health Estate Journal October 2026
evidence around issues such as ‘circadian lighting’ and does not really touch on current interest around lighting for health and productivity, its guidance aims to ensure work is up to date with modern lighting practice and it illustrates varying ways of lighting the modern hospital environment. Looking at the broader issues of healthcare estates, Health Building Notes (HBNs) published by the Department for Health also give best practice guidance on the design and planning of new healthcare buildings and on the adaptation/extension of existing facilities. HBN 00-10 Part B covers walls and ceilings, including
integration with lighting. It allows choice in the materials and methods of construction – provided they satisfy the specified performance requirements – but also requires healthcare providers and their contractors to improve quality whilst achieving value for money. Key drivers include the standardisation and pre-assembly of components, flexibility, adaptability, and sustainability, including low energy design. Guidance from NAHN reflects similar wider estates
practice by emphasising compliance with fire safety, infection prevention, and structural integrity requirements For the illuminated ceiling panels in MKUH, compliance included verifying fire performance certification, demonstrating compatibility with suspended ceiling grids and building services, and using materials suitable for healthcare cleaning regimes. In addition, infection prevention and control teams must confirm that finishes tolerate approved disinfectants and do not introduce contamination risks. Provision for safe maintenance access had to be demonstrated. Lifecycle considerations are also important when gaining estate approval. Lighting features that appear decorative are unlikely to be approved unless there is clear evidence showing they are durable, resilient, and suitable for long-term operation.
Delivering work in live healthcare settings Installation work within cardiology departments does have its own complications, as patient services often run continuously and there may be very limited opportunities for lighting professionals to get the job done. Detailed planning, structured communication, and formal risk assessment processes are therefore essential. NAHN’s guidance highlights the need for documented design approvals, risk assessments, and method statements (RAMS), alongside close coordination with estates and clinical representatives before work begins. These conform with NHS project governance frameworks and are fundamental to safeguarding patients, staff, and contractors. Practical delivery considerations include sequencing
works to minimise disruption, managing dust and noise, coordinating access routes, and integrating safely with existing mechanical and electrical systems.
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