How ‘hospitality design’ is transforming healthcare

As healthcare directors modify their approach to how they create and provide healthcare facilities, designers have the opportunity to be more creative, taking inspiration from the retail and hospitality sectors and applying them to a clinical environment, believes Jonathan Darke, principal director at tp bennett. Here he explains how the practice’s design work on projects such as London’s new private Fortius Clinic reflect this fundamental shift in healthcare design.

The new City of London Fortius Clinic, which opened in June 2016, is – the group which operates it, Fortius, explains – “a new ‘state-of-the-art’ facility for treating orthopaedic conditions and sports injuries in London’s King William Street in the City”. Designed by tp bennett, the clinic is Fortius’ second premises in London, and will cater for those living and working in the City and beyond. 

Since opening its first London clinic in Marylebone in 2011, Fortius Clinic has already established an international reputation, attracting many of the UK’s elite sports professionals to the Marylebone facility – an Outpatient Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (ODTC) and FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence. The new premises in King William Street will enable Fortius Clinic to lead the way in specialist orthopaedics for a more city-based client base.