ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
HLM’s architectural drawing of its ‘unique’ eight-bed cluster layout.
Another essential feature is the inclusion of internal courtyards, which form the basis around which wards are clustered. The hugely positive impact of ample
natural daylight and views of trees in healthcare design is well researched, and is made possible by the reduced depth of the floor plan and single corridor layout in the Altnagelvin example. Biophilic design principles that enable greater access to views of greenery have also been widely shown to improve the wellbeing of patients and staff, accelerate healing, and reduce stress. The fantastic ‘NHS Forest’ initiative,1
for instance, which champions
more tree planting in hospital settings, has found that being in close proximity to trees and plants really does result in faster recovery in patients, lowering the need for painkillers, and leading to shorter post-operative stays in hospital. Moreover, it creates a bright and airy feel, resulting in a less ‘sterile’, and more welcoming, reassuring environment, not to mention the many knock-on sustainability benefits such as cleaner, better quality air.
Designing for optimal flexibility and efficiency Adopting an ‘eight-bed cluster’ model
With thoughtful planning and consideration of the placement of the bedheads and en-suites within each room, HLM adapted the typical format for an ‘interstitial’ layout to form a cluster of eight bedrooms.
can drive substantial efficiencies, and the overall flexibility afforded by this floorplan allows wards to cater to changing patient demographics, and future shifts in demand and operational patient care needs. For instance, ward sizes can be adapted to 16, 24, 32, or 48 bedrooms in sets of eight, able to change over the years to accommodate extra beds or additional needs. This feeds into wider ambitions for healthcare provision across the country. As architects, we have a tremendous opportunity to embrace fresh and creative new design principles to meet today’s challenges. It is well documented that the NHS is under considerable strain, not least because of widespread staff shortages. According to the latest official figures from NHS Digital,2
the vacancy rate for
nursing staff has grown to almost 12% across England, totalling nearly 47,500 vacancies (up from 10.5% last year). In Northern Ireland, meanwhile, plans have been announced by the Health Minister3 to map out the next phase of rebuilding and transforming hospital services, with the aim of enabling patients to be seen more quickly, and providing better quality care overall. There is also a pressing need
to cut down on long waiting times, and a consistent shortage of hospital beds in the NHS.
Helping to offset the imbalance Measures that support faster recovery and instil greater flexibility into hospital wards from the outset can go a long way to helping offset the imbalance. We can play a big part in effecting this much-needed transformation, and using innovative design solutions for maximised space utilisation can assist in addressing some of the current issues, as well as delivering more ‘future-ready’ hospitals. By maximising visibility of every
bed from a single nursing hub, staff can save crucial time spent making many rounds of the ward, and can monitor multiple patients at once. This also means they can direct their focus and efforts to where they are most needed. Additionally, patients gain the reassurance that they can be seen by a nurse at all times. Another important factor to consider is that, in an ageing population, we must ensure that best practice and well-researched design techniques are integrated to better
A new main entrance further reinforces the vision of creating an easy-to-navigate, transparent, and light-filled space.
52 Health Estate Journal April 2023
Staff at the nursing hubs have excellent visibility of the patients.
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