Royal Philips Electronics’ (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) has installed an LED lighting and control system within the Premier Suite of The Yorkshire Clinic enhancing the wellbeing, comfort and convenience of patients in this flagship private hospital. The application of LED lighting has transformed the facility creating an ambience which is now more akin to an upmarket hotel, a far departure from the sterile environment more usually associated with hospitals and healthcare centres.
Adding to the sense of high end comfort the tastefully furnished rooms have also been equipped with Philips flat screen TV’s. However, it is the versatility of the LED lighting enabling a series of colour changing scenes to be created within the suite of rooms which has set The Yorkshire Clinic apart complementing its reputation as a first class healthcare facility.
Coloured LED lighting has also been applied around the bed head units allowing the patients the freedom to completely change the look and feel of the space depending on their personal mood or requirements.
The ambience can be changed almost endlessly via a simple touch pad facility – in colour, saturation and intensity. Thus, variable coloured light, from saturated hues through to soft pastel tones, can be created to relax the patients making it a much more reassuring place to be.
In this way, the LED lighting has become an integral element in generating a sense of wellbeing within the unit lessening the tension, anxiety and stress patients typically feel when entering a hospital environment.
As Rachel Bradbury, general manager of The Yorkshire Clinic states, “We aim to provide the highest standards in patient care and are constantly striving to find new techniques and ways of working to improve our level of service. We were, therefore, very receptive to the flexibility and benefits LEDs could offer, particularly since the design of the building has been centred around the patient."
For some patients even walking into a healthcare establishment for treatment or a consultation can be a daunting experience. However, at The Yorkshire Clinic this is not the case. The Premier Suite is light, spacious and airy and its calm, relaxing atmosphere is designed to put its patients at ease from the minute that they come through its doors.
As Bradbury continues, “The LED lighting is a very creative solution which will help alleviate some of the stressful emotions associated when receiving treatment at the centre. We are amazed at the difference it has made and it’s definitely a hit with both our patients and staff alike. In addition, The Yorkshire Clinic is able to differentiate itself from other private healthcare hospitals, which has helped increase the number of referrals we receive.”
High standards apart, the LED lighting has also significantly impacted on the maintenance and running costs. The ability to achieve energy savings without compromise to quality must resonate with any establishment on call 24/7 and wishing to maintain its reputation for service. Here, at The Yorkshire Clinic the new lighting uses only 25% of the energy that equivalent conventional light fittings would consume and produces only a quarter of the CO2 helping the Clinic achieve its CO2 reduction targets far quicker.
Clearly, the facility is second to none in terms of state-of-the-art medical equipment but it is perhaps the visual impression and the bespoke features which make it even more exceptional.
As Peter Maskell, Chairman of Philips Electronics, sums up, “As a Health and Well-being company, we are delighted to have been involved in this project. The Premier Suite is a perfect example of how lighting can improve wellbeing and uplift people’s spirits. Without doubt The Yorkshire Clinic is exemplary in the first class treatment it provides, but now it can equally be proud of the exemplary surroundings it has created for the patients who attend the centre as well.”