COVER STORY BENDER UK


The challenge ofageing NHS infrastructure: a call for smart energy solutions


Healthcare managers need to change their mindset from viewing energy as a cost, to seeing it as a manageable asset. Here, Mumtaz Farooqi, technical director of Bender UK, explains how smart energy solutions can provide the tools necessary to make this shift by offering detailed insights into energy consumption patterns and identifying energy-saving opportunities.


The NHS – the keystone of UK healthcare – is under considerable strain. Its ageing infrastructure faces significant challenges under the weight of modern demands. Urgent action is required to prevent any potential impact on patient care and safety at a national level.


A crisis exposed In July 2024, The National Audit Office reported that the NHS had received 45 per cent more money but is only doing 35 per cent more work. This disparity between funding and


productivity reflects the ongoing pressures facing the NHS. The Office for National Statistics projects a substantial demographic shift, with the population expected to grow by 3.6 million by 2034 – including 2.3 million more people aged 65 or over.


Our ageing population will certainly


increase demand for healthcare, with the Health Foundation predicting a 39 per cent rise in people with major illnesses by 2040. Compounding these demographic


pressures, the NHS faces immediate financial strains. Non-pay inflation alone cost an additional £1.4 billion in 2023-24, while the backlog of essential maintenance has ballooned to £11.6 billion, with £2.4 billion classified as high-risk. These figures paint a picture of a health


service struggling to keep pace with current and future demands, underlining the urgent requirement for transformative solutions.


IFHE DIGEST 2025 Many NHS facilities operate as ‘black


boxes’ with unclear energy states, leading to inefficiencies, unexpected downtimes, and potential risks to patient care. In October 2022, the NHS released a


new strategy for smart hospitals, recognising an urgent need to upgrade. This strategy highlighted two key aspects – digitisation and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040. However, the path to achieving these goals is not without obstacles. The current issues preventing this


evolution are complex. There is a noticeable lack of smart, intelligent, IoT- driven infrastructure across many NHS facilities. Maintenance procedures remain largely preventative or reactive, with limited proactive methods in place. In addition, digital processes and connected technologies are far from adequate to deliver the data and insights necessary for energy-saving decision-making and improvements.


These challenges are characterised by


the circumstances a public hospital in Ireland, where an absence of smart monitoring on their electrical infrastructure led to significant operational issues. The maintenance team faced the


unenviable task of disconnecting supplies to essential loads to conduct insulation resistance tests – as part of periodic inspection and testing. This not only disrupted crucial hospital functions, but also exhausted valuable time and resources.


As healthcare demands grow and


energy efficiency becomes less of an option, it is clear that the healthcare system requires a mindset change on how it manages its electrical infrastructure. The solution lies in the application of smart energy systems – connected, monitored, and managed services that can provide real-time insights, predict potential issues, and optimise energy usage. By embracing such innovative solutions,


Mumtaz Farooqi


Mumtaz Farooqi, technical director at Bender, brings over nine years of experience designing, developing, and applying advanced technologies in automation, power distribution, and


condition monitoring. He leads innovation in electrical protection and condition monitoring, with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency and safety.


Mumtaz’s mission is to introduce forward-thinking concepts that address current industry challenges and anticipate future needs, positioning Bender as a leader in smart, safer electrical infrastructure.


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