Hull Royal Infirmary Paediatrics Department
Hull Royal Infirmary
Practice has moved on hugely since the original designs and the disparate location of the paediatric service was a clear candidate for improvements to reach for appropriate and forward-looking healthcare provision.
The Brief
Remodelling and refurbishment of the Paediatrics Department comprising PAU, PHDU and ward with adjacent school room, play room, parents lounge and overnight parental ensuite accommodation, all linked to the adjacent Women and Children’s Hospital.
The Design
Multiple entry points were incorporated in to the design to accommodate step-up step-down processes for patients of varying conditions, as well as a sensory room, play rooms, nurses base and office spaces.
The ward is divided in to a six bed High Dependency Unit, a ten bed Paediatric Assessment Unit and 21 bed bays . Race Cottam tailored the interiors to this specific user group with feature bed heads and soft interiors centred around colour palettes and finishes for health and wellbeing.
To avoid the interior design feeling sterile or utilitarian, we engaged an art consultant to create a series of colourful, calming and ageless wall graphics. These begin in the circulation areas, feature prominently around the lifts to assist with immediate wayfinding, and follow through the entire new department, creating a consistent and recognisable path. Similarly, in the wards, HDU and PAUs, graphics are positioned on walls opposite the beds so children can view them – a seemingly simple consideration that has a big impact.
The Outcome
To develop the Paediatric Department, the design team worked closely with various stakeholders including the clinical team and user groups, to ensure proposals met the unique requirements of the brief and considered construction works in a live environment.
After extensive stakeholder engagement the paediatrics department is a huge success. The design features of the parental accommodation comprising drop down beds and non-clinical spaces have been very well received and the positive impact of the new department is reaching all user groups.
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"I would like to thank Race Cottam and their fantastic team who worked so closely with us on the scheme to help us realise our new home for Paediatrics.
The parental accommodation has been a complete success and is utilised most of the time, mostly by parents with babies on the Neonatal Unit who are often from out of town and there have been lovely comments about how it is like being in hotel accommodation. They are particularly complimentary about the kitchen/sitting area where they can have some down time in a quiet space and enjoy a meal or a drink away from the clinical area.
The staff very quickly settled into the new ward and the layout and are enjoying their new working environment, which has a quiet air about it even when busy.
The journey to our new home has been a long time coming but has certainly evaluated positively from the patients, parents/carers and staff perspective, so thank you to all at Race Cottam for your fantastic design and in helping our dreams to finally become a reality."
Vanessa Brown, Senior Matron Children & Young People, Hull University Teaching Hospitals
