A utility system for use in a surgical operating room comprises a first pair of parallel rails (X1, X2) and a second pair of parallel rails (Y1, Y2) extending transversally to, and supported by, the first pair of rails and movable along the first pair of rails. A support structure (13) is supported by the second pair of rails and is movable along the second pair of rails. A utility module (17, 19, 20) secured to the support structure (13). If the utility module is a surgical lamp with a suspension system comprising articulated rigid members, a reduced number of rigid members or shorter ones are sufficient to cover the same field and with the required flexibility. Other utility modules such as anaesthesia systems, X-ray and other imaging systems, a video camera, displays for displaying diagnostic and other images, ECG and other data may also be supported.
