In common with many NHS hospitals, Hexham General, had electrical systems that were not originally designed to support the volume and complexity of modern surgical, diagnostic, and treatment equipment.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust set out a clear ambition to modernise its operating theatres and standardise equipment and technology across its hospital estate. A key objective was reducing the likelihood of unplanned electrical outages, which can result in cancelled procedures, temporary closures, and disruption to patient flow.
The installation includes medical IT power systems, uninterruptible power supplies in critical clinical locations, and continuous monitoring across the electrical network. Insulation monitoring, fault localisation, and real time diagnostics allow estates teams to move away from reactive, schedule-based maintenance towards a condition led approach, enabling interventions to be planned during clinically low impact periods, reducing avoidable room closures and helping limited engineering resources to be focused on areas of highest clinical dependency.
The project also incorporated new switchgear integrated with power and energy management, extending visibility beyond theatre supplies into core electrical infrastructure.
Marion Dickson OBE, Northumbria Healthcare’s executive director of nursing, midwifery, and AHPs, said: “Completing this redevelopment programme and opening our new theatres is a major achievement for the trust.
“These facilities give our teams more space, improved equipment and a better environment in which to deliver care to the local people of Hexham and beyond.
“These new theatres will make a real difference to our patients and our teams. Having modern, purpose-built facilities means we can work more efficiently, support new ways of working and continue to provide safe, high-quality care.”
Russell Hallowes, projects lead North at Bender UK, commented: “Earlier visibility of electrical risk means potential issues can be identified and addressed before they impact clinical services. Continuous diagnostics provide better context for decision making and help reduce unnecessary downtime.
“It was a pleasure to work with the team at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to create an upgraded facility that will have a genuine and meaningful impact on the safety of patients.”