LED lighting solutions combine energy efficiency with customisable features, enabling healthcare facilities to enhance patient care while reducing hospital operational costs.

This article is part two of a three-part T-Word series on how lighting can support sustainable, cost-effective healthcare facilities – and contribute to national net zero commitments.

Healthcare facilities are unique and complex environments with highly versatile lighting needs. Operating rooms, patient wards, diagnostic labs, and waiting areas each require tailored lighting solutions to serve their specific purposes.

Effective lighting is essential for healthcare staff to carry out and conduct their work properly, yet it is possible to achieve significant savings in this area. LED lighting solutions combine energy efficiency with customisable features, enabling healthcare facilities to enhance patient care while reducing operational costs.

What are the Benefits of LED Lighting for Hospitals and Other Healthcare Facilities?

1. Sustainable Energy Solutions for Improved Estate Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

According to the Carbon Trust, lighting can account for over 20% of the total energy used or over 35% of the electricity used in a typical hospital. LEDs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, reducing energy bills and maintenance costs. Importantly, this means that LED lighting solutions align with the growing emphasis on sustainable practices in healthcare. LED lighting controls deliver further energy savings by ensuring lighting is only in use when and where needed.

In October 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health service to commit to reaching carbon net zero, in response to the growing threat to health posed by climate change. The “Delivering a Net Zero Health Service” report sets out an ambition to deliver a ‘net zero NHS’ by 2040.

2. High-Performance Lighting Solutions for Critical Healthcare Areas

LED lighting with daylight or cooler tones and high colour rendering index (CRI) ratings, is essential for tasks such as reading charts, interpreting X-rays, or performing surgeries, where accurate colour perception can directly impact diagnoses and outcomes.

LED systems can also meet the needs of highly technical areas, such as MRI suites, where ferrous materials cannot be used. For instance, LED lighting can be housed in plastic casings with a remote driver and transformer located outside the room, typically above the ceiling.

3. Support for Patient Recovery

Lighting can influence physical and mental health. Research shows that exposure to natural light or light that mimics natural cycles promotes faster recovery and improved sleep. LED systems with tunable white light technology can adjust to emulate natural daylight cycles, supporting patients' circadian rhythms or ‘body clocks.’

4. Support of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Beyond physical health, lighting also impacts emotional wellbeing. LED lights can create calming environments in waiting areas and mental health facilities by using warmer hues and dimming options.

5. Enhanced Infection Control

Traditional light fixtures, during maintenance, can trap dust and bacteria, creating hygiene challenges in sterile environments. In contrast, LEDs can be housed in sealed units, with minimal to no maintenance, meaning they are easier to clean, reducing contamination risks and decontamination times

6. Effective Emergency Lighting Solutions for Safety and Compliance

LED-based emergency lighting systems provide reliable illumination, reduce maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency, and can even offer extended battery life. Advanced LED controls also enable easy monitoring and testing of emergency lighting systems. This ensures compliance with safety regulations while allowing hospitals to proactively address potential faults, enhancing overall safety and preparedness.

Lighting Design Considerations

While LEDs offer numerous advantages, they also require thoughtful integration into healthcare facilities. Overly bright or poorly calibrated lights can cause discomfort and interfere with patient rest. Collaboration with lighting designers and healthcare professionals is essential to create tailored solutions that meet specific needs without compromising comfort.

Whether aiding patient recovery or supporting staff wellbeing, LEDs are versatile and cost-effective tools that enable hospitals to meet broader sustainability and efficiency goals. Crucially, LEDs can also be retrofitted to existing lighting systems with minimal disruption to patients and staff, helping to make them an accessible low-carbon energy solution.

• Tamlite is a leading British manufacturing, specialising in sustainable lighting solutions for the healthcare sector. Find out more about our range of LED lighting systems for healthcare environments.