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Milton Keynes University Hospital has recently refurbished and renewed its theatre suite. C&B Electrical Contractors provided a resilient and compliant infrastructure designed to support clinical teams and patients in high-pressure emergency settings for years to come
Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) serves a growing population and must continually adapt its services to meet demand. Trauma care is a vital part of the hospital’s provision, requiring facilities that can support complex and urgent procedures. To address this need, the hospital has launched a programme of theatre upgrades designed to enhance resilience, safety and efficiency.
The specialist trauma theatre was the first project within this programme and required a complete renewal of its electrical infrastructure. From incoming power supplies to in-theatre systems, every component had to be upgraded. The design not only had to comply with healthcare electrical standards but also had to support seamless integration with the hospital’s wider network to ensure uninterrupted care.
C&B Electrical was appointed for its technical expertise and proven track record in healthcare settings. The company’s experience in delivering complex projects within live clinical environments made it a trusted partner for this critical installation.
Explains Callum Biscoe, Director at C&B Electrical: “This was a complex project in a challenging healthcare environment, and every stage – from design through to commissioning – had to be meticulously planned. We are extremely proud to bring our healthcare expertise to support Milton Keynes University Hospital’s long-term theatre strategy.”
BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH ENABLING WORKS
The project began with enabling works to establish a robust and future-proofed foundation. Two independent 160-amp power supplies were installed, each drawn from separate low-voltage systems. These were connected to dedicated uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), ensuring that in the event of a power failure, critical systems would remain fully operational without interruption. This configuration meets the requirements of HTM 06-01, the UK guidance for electrical systems in healthcare, specifically for Group 2 medical locations where medical procedures are likely to be performed.
In addition to the UPS systems, a 200-amp panel board was introduced to distribute non-critical power across the theatre and plant areas. Separating essential and non-essential circuits in this way simplifies maintenance and improves resilience. It means the hospital’s estates team can carry out servicing without affecting critical clinical services.
To prepare the space for installation, legacy systems were carefully decommissioned in phases to avoid disruption to neighbouring theatres. Historic links between electrical services across theatres were removed, eliminating the risk of one area being affected by failures in another. This preparation work was key to ensuring the new systems could operate independently and to modern standards.
