CABE reveals tips to designing better buildings

The Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) has today (Wednesday) set out seven key design issues that Health Care Trusts must address if they are to achieve better quality, patient-focused health care environments.

The recommendations are based on CABE's enabling work with new hospitals and proposals submitted to the Design Review programme. They are intended to highlight areas where practice can be improved as well as offer guidance to NHS Estates, Design Champions and others involved in delivering PFI hospitals.

CABE's seven 'secrets of success' cover the following areas: balancing clinical requirements with patient and staff needs;  urban design; landscape; space standards; legibility; client management structure; and supply side issues.

Jon Rouse CABE's chief executive said: "There is now a major drive towards improving the quality of health care environments for patients. However our experience to date working with Health Care Trusts on specific projects shows that there are some key design issues that can make or break a scheme.

"Too often we have seen hospital plans that focus on the clinical environment without balancing the needs of patients and staff. To achieve better designed health buildings we need an educated client team backed by the highest level of management.

"They must invest time and resources into the design process and bidders must be willing to respond to their demands," he said.