Engineering Safer Surgical Spaces at James Paget University Hospital

In 2024, CBG Consultants were appointed by Jefferson Sheard Architects and the NHS Foundation Trust to consult on the development of a fully coordinated building services design for six theatres within the James Paget University Hospital.

This innovative design required incorporating HVAC, medical gases, robust electrical systems, lighting, and fire protection, all engineered to meet the strict requirements of a surgical environment.

Work on Theatre two is complete, Theatre Three is still under construction and Theatre One is in design stage.

This project required a wide spectrum of input from various stakeholders, including the university trust, structural engineers, healthcare specialists, contractors and hospital staff.  This feedback was imperative in order to accurately design a modern surgical theatre that is safe, efficient, compliant and supports reliable clinical operations.

CBG’s Cambridge team designed the theatres from the initial survey through to handover. 

Prior to the work undertaken by CBG, the theatres were no longer compliant with current medical standards and desperately needed an uplift to ensure the safety of both patients and surgeons. Every engineering decision in theatres requires careful consideration: from maintaining air quality and flow to managing pressure differentials and ensuring a safe, uninterrupted power supply.

Graduate Engineer at CBG, Michael Long, is pleased to have been involved in the important project. Michael explains some of the initial challenges faced during the building design process. “The main technical challenge was coordinating containment, ventilation and medical gases within a limited ceiling void. We also had to interpret existing services from dated information and incorporate that into our current design to deliver a compliant theatre.

“Our focus throughout was on creating a coordinated, safe and maintainable solution that supports healthcare professionals and improves the care provided to patients.”

In contrast, Michael reflects, “One of the real positives of this project has been the collaborative approach taken by everyone involved.

“Our focus was on delivering a coordinated, compliant and safe solution that is not only buildable, but also practical to maintain and aligned with the needs of the end users. It has been rewarding to contribute to a scheme that will support clinical teams and help provide a better environment for patients.”

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