In “an age of austerity”, where it says financial cuts are “systematically employed”, Monodraught believes there are “three key areas” for the healthcare estates professional: -- patient welfare, energy use, and maintenance costs.
Monodraught specialises in providing low energy solutions via the use of natural ventilation, passive cooling techniques, and natural daylight solutions. For many years its systems have been specified for use in the healthcare and education sectors, in Monodraught’s own words, “due to their uncomplicated nature, very low running costs, and virtually maintenance-free design”.
The company says: “We believe our success is primarily linked to the well- documented evidence that natural ventilation and natural light are fundamental to human health. This has never been more important than today, because most people spend 80-90% of their lives hidden inside some type of building. However, over the past 50 years the design of buildings, towns, and cities has not been sympathetic to this evidence.
“Florence Nightingale noted in 1859 that ‘the first essential to the patient, without which all the rest you can do for him is as nothing…is this: to keep the air he breathes as pure as the external air without chilling him’. She also added that ‘direct sunlight, not only daylight, is necessary for speedy recovery.’ Later, Dr Bernhard drew on his experiences to treat soldiers in his book, Light Treatment in Surgery (1861-1939), arguing that ‘the remarkable analgesic effect of the sun’s rays has as yet received no physiological explanation.’”
Monodraught says that such comments and theories are reflected in Victorian hospital architecture, that uses large sash windows to “flood the wards with daylight, and naturally ventilate them”. “However,” it adds, “architecture changed during the 1960s and 1970s, but the link between human health and daylight is becoming clear; daylight and ventilation have a range of non-visual and systemic effects on people.”
The company says Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) research indicates that space, access to natural light, and fresh air, are crucial design factors affecting patients and their recovery. In fact, constant exposure to artificial light, and in particular fluorescent lighting, is, Monodraught claims, mentioned by nurses as “one of the most draining aspects” of working on a ward.
To assist healthcare estates professionals, Monodraught has prepared a detailed review of current legislation, relevant case studies, and design guidance, for healthcare facilities. The complete brochure is available from www.monodraught.com
To see a digital version of brouchure, please use the following link: http://www.monodraught.com/emags/HealthBrochure/pageflip.html
