HOSPICE DESIGN
The Bistro opens daily, offering freshly cooked food and Saturday morning brunches and Sunday lunch.
patient explained that this space would be where she would like to do jigsaw puzzles. These are important spaces, and since the Hospice opened, they have been used for memorable moments – a birthday celebration, an introduction of a newly born grandchild to a patient, and, more frequently, a space where people can do a crossword, or catch up over a cup of tea. Tea, like cake, is always on hand at Arthur Rank Hospice.
During the transition from the old site to its new home, the Hospice ran an interactive change management programme to support staff. Feedback from these sessions informed the designers of a need to create communal space for staff to be together, but also private spaces to sit quietly. All staff were actively involved in the design process, and most took the opportunity to visit the Hospice during the build and to talk to the LSI Architects team. This helped to reduce any concerns around what was going to be a very significant change for them and the patients they care for.
Access to fresh air and sunlight One critical request from users and staff was that the external areas should feel like extensions of the internal spaces, recognising that access to fresh air and sunlight are hugely important to people using the Hospice. It was recognised that such an approach was integral to the design, and would play an important part in giving patients space to think and reflect, as well as somewhere to spend quality time with their families. The suggestion of an on-site bistro was another new addition welcomed by everyone. It was agreed that the bistro should be equipped to serve freshly cooked healthy food options so that staff, volunteers, and visitors, could enjoy good quality, nutritious food in a relaxed, airy space which also had access to the gardens.
How best practice was used The LSI Architects team, led by architect Louise Knights, began shaping its thinking
Creating a ‘link’ with the outside was one of the design priorities for LSI.
based on such feedback, and best practice captured from team members’ previous hospice and healthcare experience. The team quickly identified a set of design drivers that were essential to creating a successful environment for patient care and wellbeing: An uplifting building with a feeling of ‘light and space’.
A homely environment capable of dealing with an array of medical procedures, and supporting an entire range of specialist palliative care services.
A tranquil and calm atmosphere. The ability for patients and staff to use the facility practically and effectively.
Plans exceeding local authority planning requirements as regards sustainability.
The facility must attain the principles adopted by the NHS to achieve privacy throughout the care pathway.
Futureproofing: the facility should have the capacity to be adapted and extended in the future as requirements change.
Hospital standards ‘without feeling like one’
The biggest design challenge was that the Hospice had to have the standards of a hospital without feeling like one. Each bedroom should feature ‘infection control wallpaper’, a feature discussed as part of value engineering, but which was crucial to retain. The team was aware that lasting memories of loved ones would be formed here, so the Hospice must always have a homely, calming, and relaxing environment.
Another requirement was to ensure that patient beds could easily be moved into a covered area outside the bedrooms/lounge spaces, so that people could feel the sun on their skin and breeze on their faces if they wished to, and so any visiting children could play in the gardens within view of their relatives. Many patients enjoy hearing children having fun, and this too can help bring a sense of normality to the time spent at the Hospice.
The LSI Architects team was also able to apply its significant experience of designing environments suitable for people with dementia. Examples include: the palette of colours used outside and inside bedrooms – giving a distinctive identity to each, and helping patients to locate their own bedroom; the walled garden areas outside each room; clear signage; swipe card entrances for security; call bells, and specially designed flooring in the lifts.
Opening the doors
The Hospice opened its doors on November 11, 2016, offering a 23-bed facility: double the number of beds that were available at the original site on Mill Road. The Hospice now provides a total of fifteen single rooms and two four- bedded bays, all with en-suite facilities. As part of the vision to best meet the
August 2019 Health Estate Journal 55
©Andrew Wilson Photography
©Andrew Wilson Photography
©Andrew Wilson Photography
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