Written 2022. Published BJN 2022.
This comment piece argues that good hospital design should be a basic requirement rather than an optional luxury. It highlights how poor lighting, confusing signage, inflexible layouts and a lack of appropriate spaces affect both patients and staff particularly people with mobility, sensory or communication difficulties.
Although evidence shows that healthcare environments influence patient outcomes and staff wellbeing, design remains a low priority across much of the NHS estate and contributes to frustration, delays and avoidable complexity. The piece argues that addressing everyday environmental barriers such as heavy doors, shiny floors and poor wayfinding, can make healthcare easier for everyone to use.
Inniss, R. (2022). The impact of hospital design on patients and staff. British Journal of Nursing, 31(21), 1078–1078. doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2022.31.21.1078