Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) has been undertaking extensive refurbishment of its Phase 1 theatre suite to ensure clinical facilities remain resilient, compliant, and capable of meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding population.
Trauma procedures often require urgent and complex interventions. The hospital needed an electrical installation that would deliver uninterrupted performance, adhere to healthcare standards, and ensure long-term reliability. The upgrade of the trauma theatre is the first step in a larger programme of improvements.
C&B Electrical Contractors Ltd was appointed for this project due to its specialist healthcare expertise and proven performance in delivering complex installations within live hospital environments.
Defining the challenge
Ageing infrastructure, limited backup systems, as well as outdated electrical connections between neighbouring theatres created vulnerabilities that posed risks during maintenance or unexpected power outages. This meant that the existing trauma theatre did not meet the standards required for a modern Group 2 medical location, where invasive procedures are performed.
The Theatre needed a full renewal of its electrical systems to guarantee safe independent operation, better separation of essential and non-essential circuits, and adherence to HTM 06-01 and BS 7671.
At the same time, the work needed to be completed in a busy, fully operational hospital where there couldn’t be any disruptions to clinical services. Infection control, noise management, clinical access, and safety were important considerations throughout the project.
Delivering the installation
C&B Electrical began by laying the groundwork for an installation through a series of carefully planned enabling works.
The priority was to strengthen the theatre’s power resilience. Two independent uninterruptible power supply systems were installed, taking feeds from two separate low voltage systems. These systems will provide resilience to the full phase 1 theatres suite in the event of a mains failure.
To support this, a new 200-amp panel board was introduced to manage non-essential power. Separating essential and non-essential circuits not only improves operational reliability but also creates a more maintainable system for the hospital’s estates teams.
Historic electrical connections were also removed, allowing the trauma theatre to function as a fully isolated, modern Group 2 medical location.
Inside the trauma theatre itself, C&B Electrical delivered a comprehensive new installation tailored to the specific needs of Group 2 clinical areas. This included a new Equipotential Bonding Busbar to ensure no touch voltages become present within the medical location, the installation of an Isolated Power Supply system with automatic changeover switches providing additional resilience to critical equipment, and a surgeon’s control panel giving clinicians dependable control over lighting, ventilation alarms, and core theatre functions.
Dedicated supplies for surgical lighting, ventilation and essential medical equipment were routed with precision to meet strict spatial and clinical requirements.
Close collaboration was central to the project’s success. C&B Electrical worked in partnership with the main contractor, Medical Air Technology, to coordinate containment and cable routes with mechanical ductwork and plant connections. Regular planning meetings and on-site reviews supported clear communication, prevented clashes, and kept the programme on track.
All works were delivered within a live hospital environment under stringent infection-control measures, including physical segregation, dust suppression, controlled isolations and carefully scheduled noisy works. Daily briefings with clinical and estates teams ensured the installation progressed safely and without impact on patient care.
Positive project outcomes
The completed trauma theatre provides a modern and compliant environment that is equipped to support high-pressure emergency procedures. Dual supplies, UPS Systems, and IPS systems ensure continuity of service, enhancing safety for patients and confidence for clinical teams. Clear circuit separation, comprehensive documentation, and fully compliant systems also support efficient maintenance and long-term operational planning.
This project sets a strong precedent for future theatre upgrades at Milton Keynes University Hospital and demonstrates C&B Electrical’s capability to deliver technically complex installations in sensitive clinical environments.
C&B Electrical’s Milton Keynes University Hospital project was featured in Facilities Management Journal’s November 2025 issue – https://www.fmj.co.uk/electric-theatre/.
