HEALTHCARE DESIGN


Mindful design creates a seamless flow between outdoor and indoor spaces.


forgetting the integral goal of every project – enhancing patient experience through design.


Wellbeing at the heart of every project We have seen a boom in wellbeing initiatives, consideration and recognition over the past decade, which should be applauded. As all industries are addressing ways in which they can embed wellbeing, the healthcare property sector should be doing the same. Serving the important purpose of providing life-


changing cancer treatment to those in need is unquestionably driven by care and compassion. So, it is time that commissioners, contractors, designers and architects across the board integrate this same approach. Creating spaces that evoke a sense of welcome, belonging, peace and comfort should be viewed as an


essential additional consideration within healthcare. People who lose loved ones to cancer often come back to Maggie’s sites to reflect on quality time spent with family members in their final days. The importance of thoughtful design goes beyond patients, also providing support for family members and those bereaved. The fact that architecture in healthcare settings leaves such a lasting impression on those who experience it shows the power of great design and the importance of its careful consideration in healthcare settings. While by no means a small ask, in an ideal world, the end goal for healthcare design is to see this mentality put into practice across the board. When all stakeholders in a healthcare project are aligned in appreciating the value and impact of bespoke healthcare design, patient experience can be enhanced for all.


Dame Laura Lee


Dame Laura Lee (DBE) is chief executive of Maggie’s, the cancer charity which has been at the forefront of transforming care for people impacted by cancer 30 years. Maggie’s supports hundreds of thousands of people every year at their 27 centres across the UK.


September 2026 Health Estate Journal 39


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136