In October 2024, we carried out a patient experience review. This looked at a wide variety of sources, including patient experience surveys, comments and feedback from the Friends and Family Test, and insight from the most recent National Patient Survey, as well as other strategies and guidance in our Trust.
The key themes, which will be used to inform the design of the building are below:
| Key theme | You said |
| Wayfinding | - Develop a wayfinding strategy which is clear, logical and intuitive.
- Make sure wayfinding is consistent across the whole hospital, not a different system in the new building to the existing one.
- Improved signage and better signage for people with visual impairment.
- More wayfinding options – e.g. information before I arrive, digital maps.
- Clear patient letters and communication about my appointment or visit.
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| Privacy and dignity | - More side rooms would help maintain privacy and dignity.
- Ensuite facilities in both side rooms and four bedded bays.
- Spaces within the ward that could be used for private discussions.
- A space where minor procedures can be undertaken (rather than in a four bedded bay).
- Designs that protect patient privacy – e.g. using blinds on windows /door vision panels and glazed screens to bedrooms and clinical areas.
- Patients with wheelchairs to be able to see out of windows, without compromising patient privacy.
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| Accessibility and a supportive environment | - Our building designs should support the needs of people with disabilities (seen and unseen), meeting legislation and building regulations.
- Automatic doors would support access into and around the building.
- Appropriately sized lifts with audio facility would help with orientation.
- Wheelchair users should be considered when positioning the ward entry buzzer.
- Bedside facilities should support patient technology – e.g. somewhere to charge phone.
- The ward reception area should be readily visible and accessible.
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| Noise reduction (ambient noise especially at night) | - Look at ways to reduce noise from people and the environment (e.g. equipment) at night.
- Consider more side rooms than bed bays.
- More en-suite facilities to reduce patient movement through the wards.
- Making bed bays bigger than the ones in the current hospital.
- Have soft closing bins in patient areas as standard.
- Consider how to reduce noise from the staff base through clever ward layout designs.
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