Hospital Maternity and Bereavement Suite (M&E) - Royal Lancaster Infirmary

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust commissioned PSA to deliver full MEP consultancy on the refurbishment of existing office into a new maternity and bereavement suite at their Lancaster site. The project supports the national drive to improve maternity services following the government’s announcement of its independent investigation into 14 NHS trusts, including Morecambe Bay.

CLIENT: University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

LOCATION: Lancaster, Lancashire

VALUE: £2m

BUILD TYPE: Refurbishment

SERVICES: MEP Consultancy

COMPLETED: 2026

SECTOR: Healthcare

Consequently, we incorporated careful phasing into our design approach from the outset. Our work spanned electrical distribution upgrades, mechanical systems, medical gases, ventilation, fire alarms, nurse call and security. Furthermore, we delivered significant enabling works to facilitate the infrastructure improvements safely and without disruption.

MATERINTY & BEREAVEMENT SUITE OBJECTIVES

The trust sought to transform existing office and staff accommodation into a dedicated maternity and bereavement suite that met current clinical standards. Consequently, the brief required delivery of a safe, compliant and fit-for-purpose environment that could support both maternity services and the sensitive needs of bereaved families.

In line with the government’s national investigation into maternity and neonatal care, the trust was focused on improving the standard of its facilities and ensuring the space reflected the level of care families deserve.

Equally important, the trust required the works to be delivered with minimal disruption to existing services. Keeping critical areas operational throughout the construction programme was a priority, so careful phasing of the works was built into our design approach from the outset.

OUR HEALTHCARE SPECIFIC SOLUTION

PSA provided full MEP consultancy across the project, including design, specification and contract administration.

To support the refurbishment, the project involved a substantial enabling works package. In order to maintain security across the building, we rerouted the existing access control and door security systems before the main works could begin.

To increase hot water capacity and meet clinical demand, we designed a new gantry to accommodate the additional infrastructure. Increasing hot water capacity to meet clinical demand meant a new gantry was needed to accommodate the additional infrastructure. A practical solution that allowed us to expand the system without compromising the existing building fabric.

Meanwhile, the electrical upgrade was one of the more complex elements. Because the existing switchgear had reached the end of its serviceable life, we specified its replacement as part of the upgrade works.

To protect critical clinical areas, we designed a phased programme that allowed the upgrade to proceed in stages, ensuring continuous power supply throughout.

The design elements included:

Electrical distribution upgrade, including replacement of end-of-life switchgear
New air handling unit (AHU) and mechanical ventilation systems
Medical locations risk assessment
Lighting and power design
Nurse call system
Fire alarm
Security and access control
Medical gas and ventilation systems

THE OUTCOME

The refurbishment successfully created a fully compliant maternity and bereavement suite that meets current clinical standards. Therefore, providing a safe and supportive environment for patients and families. Throughout the programme, critical clinical services remained fully operational due to the carefully phased delivery strategy. In addition, the project modernised and future-proofed the site’s electrical infrastructure, while the new mechanical systems provide the ventilation and hot water capacity required for safe clinical operation. Consequently, the trust now benefits from a modern healthcare facility that supports high-quality maternity care and delivers a dedicated, sensitive environment for bereaved families.

Other healthcare projects we have worked on include: