Identify key 'design-drivers' and organisational flows for the new premises

There are many different ways of organising the proposed spaces within the new facility. It is the responsibility of the project team to discuss and agree the most important issues that will determine the overall pattern of spaces in the building.

The most important of these ‘design-drivers’ is the ‘patient experience’. This will involve thinking about how the building is set out from the users’ perspective. Other possible design-drivers may include the need to:

• achieve specific local health goals
• deliver a specific social programme
• act as a catalyst for local regeneration
• improve retention and recruitment

There are many different ways of organising the proposed spaces within the new facility. It is the responsibility of the project team to establish the most important issues that determine the overall pattern of spaces in the building, rather than leaving it to the building designers or to chance. The project team is best placed to do this as they understand how services in the facility will operate and appreciate the consequences of this not occurring as planned.

The patient experience should be the key design-driver or principal issue that determines how spaces are organised. From the patients’ perspective, building attributes should normally include:

• easy to find entrance, close to car park or bus stop
• direct access to information point or reception desk
• easy access to WCs
• easy access to suitable waiting space
• easy access to places to securely store coats, prams and shopping bags
• access to beverages, from a machine or in a cafe setting
• confidential means of discussing needs with receptionist
• convenient means of confidentially making an appointment for a return visit
• clear and direct route to suitable room or spaces where (clinical/social/therapeutic etc) activity will occur
• easy access from space to space, if more than one activity occurs on a particular visit
• promoting privacy and confidentiality
• promoting personal safety and security

Other design drivers that may be considered include:

Achievement of specific local health goals such as professional accreditation or compliance with local or national performance targets. Such a requirement may result in some process-focused clusters of space, designed to meet particular technical or throughput standards.

Delivery of a specific social programme such as Sure Start or community computer training. Desire for the building to act as a catalyst for local regeneration. In such instances opportunities for local employment or entrepreneurship should be maximised, along with strong bridge building within the community.

Retention and recruitment of staff. Pleasant environments are an important consideration for staff. Special consideration should be given also to space for staff, in particular to provide opportunities for training, sharing-skills, education and professional development.