ENERGY IN HOSPITALS & HEALTHCARE


How lighting is reshaping the patient experience


Could patients recover more quickly with the right lighting? James Hughes puts the case for why lighting design should be considered central to wellbeing and comfort in healthcare environments.


James Hughes


Head of healthcare UK & Ireland, Zumtobel and Thorn Lighting


www.zumtobelgroup.com F


Lighting output can be reduced during rest periods and increased when activity rises, aligning more closely with actual use. Rather than operating at a constant level, lighting becomes part of a daily cycle.


Energy reduction Energy remains a central concern for healthcare estates teams. Hospitals operate continuously and are among the most energy-intensive building types, with lighting a significant but controllable part of that demand. LED has reduced energy use and


or many years, the priority for healthcare lighting design has been clear: meet standards, ensure reliability and minimise


energy use. In an NHS that is balancing increasing patient demand and tight budgets, that focus is understandable. But it may not tell the full story. Lighting is one of the few building


services that directly influences how a hospital operates and is experienced. It shapes staff performance, patient experience and recovery and is increasingly considered in terms of performance, not just compliance or efficiency. For patients, the environment


directly influences comfort, wellbeing and recovery. For doctors and care staff, it must support accuracy, concentration and decision-making, often across long, demanding shifts. These needs overlap, but they are not identical, requiring conditions that support both without compromise. Historically, lighting has been specified around peak clinical requirements, resulting in environments that are functional, but not always comfortable.


Designing for people The influence of lighting on patient wellbeing is well understood, but not always fully realised in delivery. Light regulates circadian rhythms and affects sleep quality. For patients with limited access to daylight, these effects become more pronounced. Research links access to daylight and well- balanced lighting with reduced stress, improved sleep and better recovery. This has clear design implications.


Patient environments are shifting from uniform, high-output lighting to softer, more diffuse schemes, using indirect light, balanced brightness and


Zumtobel and Thorn developed a lighting concept that meets the requirements of different hospital areas. By employing low-glare luminaires and smart lighting controls, they have created a pleasant and energy-efficient atmosphere.


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appropriate colour temperatures to create more supportive conditions. Control is equally important.


Patients can adjust lighting locally, improving comfort and restoring a sense of autonomy. At the same time, lighting must support healthcare professionals. Examination, treatment and observation depend on clear visibility, supported by appropriate illuminance, good colour rendering and controlled glare. In many installations, lighting


operates continuously at peak levels. A more responsive approach delivers higher task-specific illuminance only where required, with lower background levels elsewhere. This is particularly relevant for night


shifts, where lighting can support alertness without disrupting patients or increasing energy use. The focus shifts from maximum output to appropriate output.


Designing for performance Traditional design often centres on achieving a single illuminance


The use of modern LED technology and intelligent lighting controls have helped to improve the environment for both patients and staff at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital . Particular attention was focused on integrating daylight and creating a pleasant atmosphere throughout the hospital.


level. While compliant, this does not always deliver the best outcome. A more effective approach considers distribution, glare, and how different zones support different tasks. These measurable conditions increasingly define performance. ‘Lighting by numbers’ is not about checklists, but using metrics to guide decisions, allowing lighting to be tailored to need rather than applied uniformly. This improves both efficiency and visual conditions. Time is also critical. In wards with


limited daylight, static lighting can disrupt natural rhythms. Dynamic systems adjust intensity


and colour temperature throughout the day, supporting sleep and comfort. They also improve efficiency.


carbon emissions, but the greatest gains come from control. Lighting that responds to occupancy, daylight and time ensures energy is used only when needed. Efficiency and lighting quality


are not competing priorities. Well- designed systems achieve both. Lighting is also becoming


integrated into wider building systems, allowing it to be monitored, adjusted and optimised across the estate. Systems such as Zumtobel’s


LynX are beginning to bring these capabilities together, combining lighting with communication, localisation and control to support both clinical workflow and patient experience. In advanced care environments,


light can indicate room status, support wayfinding and assist staff navigation. It can also form part of wider communication systems, linking into nurse call, alarm systems and real-time location tracking and heat mapping. This reflects a shift towards


connected care environments, where lighting supports how information is shared and acted upon. For estates teams, this moves lighting firmly into the category of operational infrastructure, supporting safety, efficiency and care delivery in real time.


Hidden costs


The question of whether patients could recover more quickly with the right lighting is not easily answered, but it is useful. It shifts the focus from cost to value. Poor lighting can carry hidden costs, including reduced staff performance, lower morale and retention challenges, as well as longer patient stays. By contrast, well- designed lighting can support staff wellbeing, improve working conditions and contribute to better patient outcomes alongside more efficient operation. The ward of the future will be defined by how effectively it supports both the people within it and the demands placed upon it. ■


EIBI | MAY 2026


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