Finding the Silver Lining in Part L: Smart lighting as a Catalyst for Person-centred Care

Synopsis

In the evolving landscape of mental health care, lighting is emerging as a pivotal factor in both service user and staff physical and mental health, improving sleep, stabilising mood, reducing falls and the need for antipsychotic medication.

While new energy efficiency standards, such as Part L of the Building Regulations, could be seen as yet another expensive headache, this presentation will explore the ‘silver lining’ of increasingly stringent requirements for energy efficiency and control, offering insights from research and real-world examples along with practical strategies for retrofit and new build settings.

We will review the potential for smart lighting infrastructure to go beyond visual and circadian effects to provide a framework for more effective person-centred care, integrating sensors and environmental controls to monitor trends and trigger alerts, optimise comfort, energy consumption and facilities management without compromising privacy or dignity.

Attendees will come away with an understanding of current and new regulations coming down the track and invited to find the silver lining in a lighting upgrade to create a brighter, safer and more efficient future for all.