Facing increased surgical demand, and having initially planned only a cosmetic refresh of its operating theatre, Alnwick Hospital in Northumberland consulted with Bender UK, and it became clear that the theatre’s underlying electrical infrastructure was ‘dangerously outdated and non-compliant with modern HTM standards’.
A strategic decision was made to fully modernise the theatre ‘to match the standards of the wider NHS Trust and support clinical continuity during upcoming works elsewhere’.
The hospital’s main theatre was operating with equipment that was over 30 years’ old. Initially, the hospital – managed by the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust – had allocated a modest budget for a light refurbishment to refresh the theatre’s look and feel. However, following an on-site survey by Bender UK, it was identified that the existing systems no longer aligned with current compliance standards. While the infrastructure had served the hospital for many years, a full upgrade was recommended to ensure continued safety and operational consistency.
Bender says that given the funding constraints, ‘the challenge was demonstrating the strategic need for a more extensive upgrade’. This included helping the Trust’s clinical and Estates teams put forward a compelling case to secure Board-level investment. Supporting the Trust from the earliest stage of the project, Bender UK’s team worked closely with the Estates consultant and Opus Building Services to produce detailed technical documentation and site plans, and provided support in mapping out plant space within the theatre environment.
The surgical theatres at Alnwick Hospital now include:
- IPS and UPS systems.
- A CP924 touchscreen alarm and monitoring system.
- A 43in PACS panel.
- 2x 24 in PACS panels.
- Medical pendants.
- Surgical operating lights
The project had to be completed within tight timelines to avoid disruption to patient services. A key complexity was fitting modern equipment into an existing structural footprint without extending the building. Careful coordination and planning ensured deadlines were met, and all systems were installed without compromising performance.
The new Alnwick theatre is now fully HTM-compliant, and ‘aligned with the standards of the wider Trust’. It provides:
- Increased surgical capacity to support Hexham General Hospital.
- Fully upgraded and resilient electrical infrastructure.
- Improved safety and reliability of surgical operations.
- A future-ready theatre space for ongoing use in elective care delivery
Bender UK says it ‘proactive role in identifying infrastructure risks and securing investment’ has ‘deepened its relationship’ with the Trust. The team continues to support across multiple sites, with several further schemes planned for 2025 and beyond.
