ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION ARTICLES

Sarah Waller CBE, an Associate Specialist at the Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, and her colleague, Research assistant, Jennifer Bray, discuss the development, launch, and thinking behind a new ‘toolkit’ designed to help primary care facilities improve the physical environment for all patients – including neurodiverse individuals.

Over the next 3-4 years, a number of the earlier hospital PFI projects will come to an end, and in the next two decades, a significant further tranche will reach ‘handback’ stage. NHS Trusts with PFI-funded buildings have been advised to start preparing early – particularly by ensuring they have a clear picture of the condition of the assets soon to return to their ownership, and getting any significant defects addressed now. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, met by ‘Teams’ with Ian Daccus, Estates and Facilities Strategic Partnership director at Capita, to get his ‘take’ on the ensuing challenges and opportunities.

Without its staff, the NHS cannot function. The ‘triple whammy’ of Brexit, COVID, and over a decade of austerity, are placing even more pressure on an over-stretched healthcare system, raising more concerns about staff wellbeing. Sophie Crocker, Architect at White Arkitekter, discusses how healthcare workplace design can contribute to staff wellbeing with four examples from the Scandinavian practice’s work in Sweden.

In the March 2024 HEJ, Consultant Medical Microbiologist, Michael Weinbren, head of Estates Risk and Environment at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, George McCracken, Susanne Lee of independent public microbiology consultancy, Leegionella, and Consultant Medical Microbiologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Dr Teresa Inkster, argued that ensuring patient safety in new healthcare facilities requires a markedly different approach to design and construction. Here, in the second half of the article, they discuss some of the key issues requiring particular consideration against this backdrop to ensure a successful project outcome.

Thomas Cosker, associate at engineering consultancy, Buro Happold, shares insights on designing the London Institute of Medical Sciences’ new laboratory. The consultancy delivered MEP and lab design services, as well as sustainability, civil, structural, acoustic, vibration and fire engineering, to create ‘world-class technical facilities’ that now house over 40 different scientific research group

Three microbiologists and a highly experienced EFM professional argue that ensuring patient safety in new healthcare facilities requires a markedly different approach to design and construction.

A new pathology laboratory building at Leeds’s St James’s University Hospital that will serve patients across West Yorkshire was officially opened in September 2023. The highly automated facility will serve hospitals across the region, avoiding considerable duplication, and significantly speeding diagnosis and treatment for many thousands of patients annually. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, visited the new Centre for Laboratory Medicine to find out more.

Business management consultancy, The PSC’s recent development of a so-called ‘Blueprint’ approach to designing estates reportedly both meets population needs, and enables integration of care.

Sean Woodhead, associate architect at BDP, looks at how the design of Heatherwood Hospital in Berkshire has helped support positive outcomes at this specialist, planned care facility.

With the issue of addressing the risks from RAAC planking in public buildings such as hospitals and schools very much in the spotlight in recent months, Alister Broadberry, Area director for the Eastern Counties at Morgan Sindall Construction, describes the business’s recent work for a Norfolk acute hospital Trust to help keep their structural RAAC planks safely, swiftly, and securely propped ‘for years to come’.

The New Hospital Programme’s Senior Responsible Owner, Natalie Forrest, updated Healthcare Estates 2023 delegates on progress with the Programme, and discussed the Hospital 2.0 model.

At Healthcare Estates 2023, experienced healthcare planner, Suzanne MacCormick, explained how getting the sensory aspects of healthcare facilities right plays a critical part in providing the optimal care environment and speeding recovery.

Mark Hitchman, MD of Canon Medical Systems UK, discusses the creation of what is reportedly the UK’s first carbon-neutral built community sports and event arena with an integrated Medical Diagnostic Centre, and ‘why this unique fusion of sport and wellbeing will be a catalyst for positive regional health’.

With the NHS celebrating its 75th anniversary earlier this year, two senior Arcadis personnel look back at some of the major changes in healthcare provision and buildings, and forward to the key steps – including increasing digitalisation, and ‘embedding healthcare deeper into the fabric of communities’ – they believe will help ensure a resilient service.