Selecting surfaces that fulfil multiple needs

One of the key functions of the healthcare estate is to provide a care environment that helps the clinicians and nurses working in the facility to improve patient outcomes. All design, wherever possible, should be geared towards this aim — providing care and comfort in an environment that is effective, safe, and operationally efficient. Each aspect of a modern built environment contributes towards this, whether directly or indirectly. Indeed, beyond the clinical aspect, it is important for patients and providers alike to be in a comfortable and convenient setting if the best outcomes are to be achieved.

Engineered surfaces such as melamine-faced chipboard (MFC), high-pressure laminate (HPL), and compact laminate, are key to this. Beyond intangibles such as developing trust and comfort through high-quality aesthetics in public spaces, a hospital's décor must match form with function. This includes acting as a safeguard against the risk of infectious agents and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This conclusion is neither new nor novel for specifiers working on healthcare projects, yet there are important nuances and details to be discerned when discussing surface hygiene and specification in the hospital environment.

When it comes to selecting surfaces, the Equality Act 2010 must be kept in mind. It requires that all new and refurbished public buildings offer equal access to all, regardless of disability, age, or gender, ensuring safe entry, exit, and passage, through the building. Alongside this, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 should also be considered. This legislation requires facilities and services with buildings to be easily accessible to all, regardless of the adverse effect that physical or mental impairments may have on the individuals within.