The quality and appropriateness of NHS buildings

These issues cover a whole range of subjects from the general design and look of health service buildings, to the provision of single sex wards. The specific issues raised by the public are:

• Will the new buildings be better looking and more in keeping with the local area? 



• Why are you planning to have so many single rooms? 



• Most people prefer to be in the company of other patients.



• Hospitals are often difficult to find your way around and very confusing. Can you make it easier for the public, perhaps have each department in a separate building? 



• Will there be single sex wards? 



• How high will the new hospital be?

Healthcare buildings are very complex. A hospital may contain over 100 separate departments each with specific requirements for their general layout, services, heating and lighting. There are also many important relationships between individual departments that dictate where they must be located within the building.

In the last ten years there have been significant improvements in hospital design and a much greater understanding of how buildings can contribute to the well being of patients. NHS buildings have to comply with minimum standards for a whole range of issues, including the provision of single sex wards, greater levels of privacy and better public spaces. There is also a requirement for building designs to be of a high quality, not just functional.

We will clearly specify our requirements and set minimum standards for all the important design issues. We will also ensure the design complies with current NHS guidance and standards.

The architects and contractors who tender to build the new facilities will be required to adopt an innovative approach and design attractive buildings that complement the local surroundings and provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for patients.

Looking at the options being considered: a development on the Peterborough District Hospital site is likely to include a six storey extension to the tower-block and some form of bridge over Alderman's Drive to connect the building to a large annex.

A development on the Edith Cavell site may need to extend to four storeys, but would generally be more spacious and logical in design.

To The Top