HOSPITAL DESIGN
redevelopment of the existing pre- and post-operative care facilities. The project placed a significant focus on the working environment, on the understanding that it would be crucial in attracting and retaining motivated and competent staff. Daylight, views to nature, and integration of artwork, were emphasised throughout the facility, with all staff areas looking out over the surrounding park. The acoustics of staff working areas were also carefully considered in an attempt to reduce burn- out and absenteeism in a challenging and physically demanding role.
Memory clinic’s access to outdoor space
Minneshälsan is a memory clinic affiliated with Skåne University Hospital within a 16,000 m2
mixed use development in
central Malmö. The memory clinic staff were very keen that their patients and staff should have access to outdoor space while there. Together with a team of researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, psychologists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals from the Minneshälsan clinic, White Arkitekter created a unique therapeutic roof top garden. It was important that several people could use the garden while maintaining privacy and solitude. The design therefore provides a variety of secluded spaces using planting and built elements of varying characteristics. The garden can also be used for therapeutic yoga, stress management, and therapeutic cultivation. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved in a dense urban setting with some creative thinking and ambition. The 35,000 m2
state-of-the-art extension to the existing Queen Silvia ‘‘
Currently, staff facilities are frequently institutional, uncomfortable, and over-occupied. There are relatively small interventions and features that we can prioritise to improve this – including providing access to the outdoors, ensuring acoustic and visual privacy, incorporating homely furnishings, and facilitating choice
Children’s Hospital in Gothenburg included a new surgical department, expanded intensive care unit, and additional single- patient rooms. The new building features a separate area for staff to rest, but also to carry out non-patient-focused work, providing opportunities for collaboration, meeting, and research. There are staff provisions within the departments, but staff have indicated appreciation of having the option to choose where to go depending on their time, need, and preference. All the staff areas are filled with daylight, include natural materials such as timber panelling, and soft furnishings, to create a non-clinical atmosphere and promote rest and recovery for staff. The new Psychiatry Clinic at Södra
Älvsborgs Hospital in Borås comprises an emergency unit and inpatient beds for adults, adolescents, and children. It was designed to protect patient integrity and create a calming workplace for staff. The clinic features a range of spaces for staff use, including lounges, dining areas, calm rooms, outdoor terraces, and balconies, and a library space with coffee facilities. When asked for feedback, staff have indicated that they appreciate the option
of being able to leave the clinical areas and work away from patients on the non- patient focused tasks. Having this variety and choice is widely valued – staff feel appreciated and taken care of.
Anecdotal feedback only Unfortunately, the feedback we have on these projects is anecdotal since – as with the architecture industry in the UK – post- occupancy evaluations (POEs) are not standard, and getting fees for the work required is typically difficult. However, these examples are promising, and what these projects repeatedly indicate is that staff appreciate choice – of the type of space in which to work, of being indoors or outdoors, in a busy space or calm space, and to retreat or join in. POEs are important, as they can
contribute evidence to support the value of these different options. The more POE we do, the more we’ll be able to distinguish the needs of different user groups and provide exactly what is needed. It would also help Trusts to apply limited funds with precision, as it would be easier to predict which design choices would have the greatest impact on staff wellbeing,
INVICTA Professional Engineering Services Paul Harman BEng (Hons), CMgr, IEng MIET, MIHEEM, MAPM Email:
paul.harman@invicta-pes.co.uk
INVICTA PES can provide the following:
n Authorising Engineer – Ventilation n Authorising Engineer – Pressure Systems n Skilled Person Training (on-site) n Competent Person (Ventilation) Training (on-site) n Design review advice n AHU Compliance Reviews n Board or Trust Compliance Assurance for SHTM and HTM
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Tel: 07508 376191
May 2024 Health Estate Journal 59
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