COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES
through precision design and robust, non- porous materials.
Making the environment work for patients Patient experience is another vital element. While infection control is non- negotiable, the environment must also feel welcoming and reassuring. This is particularly important in community health hubs, where patients might arrive directly from a busy shopping street and need to quickly transition into a healthcare mindset. Ergonomic design, comfortable seating
in waiting areas, good lighting, and intuitive layouts all contribute to reducing patient anxiety. In smaller CDCs, thoughtful space planning is essential to avoid cramped or cluttered areas, which can undermine the patient’s sense of safety and professionalism. Colour schemes, natural light, and
coffee. Others might combine a health check with a trip to a football match or a lecture on a university campus. This co-location has multiple benefits, particularly convenience. For many patients, especially those with limited mobility or no car, a town-centre location linked to public transport can be significantly easier to reach than an out- of-town hospital site. The integration into daily life has been another benefit, with the ability to combine healthcare with other errands reducing the psychological and practical barriers to attending appointments. A further added bonus has been the economic stimulus. Health hubs bring regular, consistent footfall to local businesses, supporting retail recovery. A 2023 report from the British Retail
Consortium revealed that healthcare hubs located within retail environments are having a measurable impact on visitor numbers. In some locations, weekday foot traffic rose by as much as 18 per cent after a CDC or health hub opened. The data showed that these increases were not limited to one-off spikes, but represented a sustained pattern over several months, suggesting that healthcare provision in these spaces is driving a steady flow of additional visitors. Interestingly, the busiest periods for this uplift were not the typical retail rush hours. The report identified mid-morning and early afternoon as the times when footfall growth was most pronounced. This coincides with the appointment schedules of many health hubs, which often cluster bookings outside of peak commuting times to make attendance easier for patients. For retail landlords, this timing is particularly valuable because it helps to smooth the peaks and troughs of daily activity, creating a steadier flow of customers across the day. For surrounding businesses, the
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benefits are tangible. Cafés, pharmacies, opticians, and independent shops in proximity to health hubs have reported increased custom from patients and their companions, many of whom choose to combine a healthcare visit with other errands or leisure activities. By activating what were once quieter periods in the trading day, healthcare hubs can help smaller businesses that traditionally struggle during ‘off-peak’ hours, ultimately contributing to the vibrancy and commercial resilience of the wider retail environment.
The role of design in making CDCs work Although location is key, the success of CDCs is equally dependent on their internal design. Healthcare environments are complex.
They must meet stringent regulatory requirements for infection control, provide a positive and calming atmosphere for patients and allow staff to work efficiently under often intense time pressures. Achieving this balance in a converted shop unit or a repurposed university lecture hall is no simple task. While most people might not consider this a high priority, high-quality fitted furniture is not just a ‘nice-to-have’ in these settings – it is a critical part of delivering safe, compliant and efficient care. Because infection control is the major
priority, quality fitted furniture is in the front line. Surfaces must be non-porous, easy to clean and resistant to damage from regular use of disinfectants. Units must also be designed to eliminate joints and crevices where bacteria or viruses can accumulate.
Poorly designed furniture in healthcare settings is more than just inconvenient – it is a genuine infection risk. Every seam, every surface, every joint is a potential dirt trap. The only way to reduce that risk is
acoustic treatments can all subtly influence mood and perception of care quality. Research from the University of Sheffield’s School of Architecture in 2022 found that patients in diagnostic facilities with warmer colour palettes and softer lighting reported 12 per cent lower anxiety scores than those in more clinical, starkly lit environments.
Staff-centred design While patient experience is central, the wellbeing of NHS staff working in CDCs also cannot be overlooked. These professionals often work long hours under intense workloads. A well-designed workspace can help prevent fatigue, reduce physical strain, and support mental health. For example, fitted furniture designed
for optimal workflow, means integrating storage in ways that minimise the need for bending or reaching. This can significantly improve efficiency. In addition, adequate work surfaces, secure storage for equipment and logically placed fixtures all help reduce unnecessary movement and wasted time. Research has shown that designing
with staff in mind has a direct impact on staff productivity. If you remove friction from their daily tasks, they can focus on patient care, not on fighting with the environment.
Case studies in community healthcare As we have already heard, the integration of healthcare facilities into non-traditional settings is no longer a theoretical exercise – it is happening now, in towns and cities across the UK, with measurable benefits for patients, healthcare providers and local economies. By looking at case studies, we can see how CDCs and health hubs are reshaping access to care, revitalising urban spaces, and setting new benchmarks for functionality and design.
IFHE DIGEST 2026
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