Bender UK worked with a major HSE Hospital in Dublin, to design and install an innovative integrated operating theatre, primarily for complex neuro and vascular surgery and high‑acuity care. The project has been recognised for its excellence and transformative impact on patient care across Ireland.
A major HSE Hospital in Dublin, renowned for academic teaching, exceptional patient care, and leadership in medical innovation, set out to transform one of the busiest surgical environments in Ireland. Despite its scale and reputation, the hospital faced fragmented imaging and AV setups, inconsistent workflows, and limitations that hindered real-time teaching and sterile-safe communication.
With over 1,000 beds, 4,500 teaching staff, and highly complex surgical procedures performed daily, the hospital required a modern, digitally unified theatre environment capable of supporting its clinical, educational, and research ambitions. The goal was to establish a future-ready blueprint for upgrading all fifteen of its operating theatres.
The Lead Principal Clinical Engineer, commented on the ambitious project, “Our objective was to design and build the best operating theatre in Europe with x-ray and CT scanner functionality built into the room as a minimum. We really wanted to push the boundaries with this initial project and create a fantastic facility - one that Ireland would be proud of”.
The hospital faced inconsistent imaging and AV setups, limited real-time teaching capability, and challenges communicating procedure status without disrupting sterile workflow. IT teams also needed a secure, standards-based platform compatible with PACS and long-term governance. Meanwhile, Estates had to deliver a major upgrade in a busy environment with minimal disruption.
Renowned for its advanced vascular and neurosurgical expertise, the hospital needed a fully modernised, digitally unified environment that would improve patient outcomes, support teaching and research, and act as a blueprint for upgrading all remaining theatres in the future.
A partner was required who could bring together clinical workflow expertise, high-performance AV integration, digital governance, and advanced surgical imaging, all while working within the constraints of a busy hospital.
Bender worked in close partnership with the hospital to shape the concept, design, and delivery of the integrated operating theatre. Building on an established relationship, Bender collaborated directly with the Principal Engineer, clinical teams, IT, and Estates to understand workflows, challenges, and the hospital’s vision for a world-leading surgical environment.
Together, the joint team carried out site visits to advanced hybrid theatres in London and Birmingham and met with global equipment manufacturers to evaluate best‑in‑class solutions. This hands‑on, consultative approach helped define the technical architecture, AV strategy, imaging requirements, and digital governance needed for a future‑ready theatre.
Once the design was finalised, Bender supported the full delivery process, coordinating off‑site construction, managing system integration, and working on a 24-hour rota within the live hospital to minimise disruption. End‑to‑end involvement ensured the theatre was seamlessly integrated, fully aligned with IT and PACS requirements, and ready to support AI‑enabled optimisation in the future.
The project has gained media recognition, as one of the first such theatres of its kind in Europe, and now acts as the blueprint for the hospital’s long-term digital theatre strategy.
The theatre has transformed surgical workflows, providing consistent layouts, clearer communication, and reliable, high-quality imaging
Teaching and collaboration have expanded through live-streaming and recording
IT teams now benefit from a governed, lifecycle-managed AV ecosystem
Estates teams have a repeatable design that can be rolled out with minimal disruption
Reduced surgery and procedure completion time, enabling smoother patient pathways and greater operational efficiency.
Improved surgical outcomes and patient recovery through better visualisation, communication, and decision-making support.
Products
Merivaara OpenOR™ is a high capacity system that integrates operating theatre devices, data and image management.
Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) to store and view medical images
Simple and intuitive to operate, the CP9 24” glass touch screen control panel is designed specifically for use in UK and Ireland hospitals.
Q-Flow ™ operating lights are designed for general and specialised surgical procedures with maximum illumination for operating theatres.
Merivaara Cameras as an option for the Q-Flow™ operating lights
Merivaara OpenOR™ is a high capacity system that integrates operating theatre devices, data and image management.
Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) to store and view medical images
Simple and intuitive to operate, the CP9 24” glass touch screen control panel is designed specifically for use in UK and Ireland hospitals.
Q-Flow ™ operating lights are designed for general and specialised surgical procedures with maximum illumination for operating theatres.
Merivaara Cameras as an option for the Q-Flow™ operating lights
Discover AV design options, system requirements, and tailored solutions designed to improve the surgical environment
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