How is Healthcare Design reacting to the current pandemic?

Robert Walder, Director at Quattro Design Architects, talks about Healthcare Design during and post the current pandemic.

There isn’t a sector in our industry that hasn’t been affected or won’t be influenced by the current pandemic in one way or another.

Whilst changes will generally trickle down to day to day design, the Healthcare sector has reacted without hesitation, publishing new design guidance that is already evolving.

With the likelihood of a vaccine being months away, and rolling it out to the public many months beyond that; we can’t ignore the fact that a surge in hospital admissions will continue for some time. In fact, as we edge ever closer towards the influenza period and norovirus season, NHS pressures will be once again put to the test like never before, as the addition of Covid-19 patients will weigh heavily on what is already a pressured period for admissions.

One thing is certain, we are now engaging in a new approach to Healthcare Design, one that’s been born out of the current reaction to this complex and challenging pandemic. An approach that will see a much more agile and flexible Healthcare delivery and estate, and one that will find it harder to justify derogations on space standards to address short term need. I see this as a real positive step forward in Healthcare Design, where adaptability will be key, not necessarily across the board, but considered and targeted.

Our Healthcare Team at Quattro Design is currently working on fast track projects with NHS Trusts to develop duel function Healthcare delivery environments in time for the widely predicted surge in patient numbers. In one example, a ward will operate as a stroke unit under ordinary circumstances, and in times of need it will flex to become an additional ICU ward. With such a fundamental change in ward function, a relatively small staff to patient ratio transforms to a much, much higher ratio. The same can be said for the specialist equipment needed to care for ventilated patients, and not to mention the huge onus on M&E adaptability.

Heating, cooling, air changes, negative/natural pressure spaces all need to flex with the ward use, and then there’s the support spaces. ICU need lots of storage, sluice, drug room, workspace areas, etc.  All very much achievable but requiring close planning and collaboration between designer and user.

I think we will see a clear directional shift with our clients focusing on longer term life cycle costs for projects; however, more often than not, this will require more financial outlay at the outset.

Although this is far from being the first pandemic in recent years, it has certainly highlighted many aspects of Healthcare Design requiring a great deal more consideration. To not being simply patient focused, but to deliver real solutions for the working conditions of NHS staff; how we protect those who need and work within our Healthcare Sector, whilst also making buildings more aspirational, adaptable, agile and flexible.