The £62.5 million Brent Emergency Care and Diagnostic Centre (BECaD) at Central Middlesex Hospital, Park Royal, London, has completed. The scheme was designed by HLM Architects in association with Avanti Architects and constructed by Bouygues (UK) through the PFI form of procurement.
The major functional components in the new BECaD comprise an Acute and Critical Care Centre (ACCC) largely related to emergency services and an Expert Consulting Centre (ECC) which offers outpatient functions and an operational base for all the clinicians involved in the acute services. The same clinical teams will work across both elements of the accommodation provided based on a new model of care developed for these key functions. The Acute and Critical Care facility is split into a Major Assessment Centre (MAC) for major or critical conditions, and an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) for the treatment of all minor injuries and illnesses which normally cause congestion in traditional A&E departments. A separately streamed emergency receiving facility for children has also been provided as part of this component.
BECaD delivers a non-institutional, therapeutic healthcare environment based on an innovative model of patient focused care and the provision of flexible and adaptable accommodation. Its design incorporates a palette of natural materials, a positive wayfinding strategy utilising internal materials, colours, landscaping, artworks, and signage in a co-ordinated manner to create a reassuring and welcoming visitor friendly experience, and a comprehensive Healing Arts strategy to express the theme of “Healing in the City.”
