The Canberra Hospital Expansion is transforming how future Australian healthcare facilities are designed and constructed with components of the design being incorporated into the latest Australasian Health Facilities Guidelines.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the input of the Canberra Hospital Expansion Consumer Reference Group has played a key role throughout the design of the Critical Services Building.
"The work of the Consumer Reference Group has already set a new standard for health infrastructure in the ACT, and it is now leading best practice design across Australia and the wider Australasian region.
"Consumer involvement throughout the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project has fundamentally altered how we think about health infrastructure.
"This work highlights the importance of a consumer-focused approach in hospital design. From family respite areas to dedicated power points, working alongside the Consumer Reference Group means we are delivering a building that meets the needs of patients, carers, visitors and staff," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Ten design components have been integrated into the new Critical Services Building and will become the standard in healthcare projects in Australia. These include:
- Dimmable lighting in patient rooms
- Dedicated consumer power points in patient rooms
- Additional grab rails in ensuites
- Tri-zone inclusion: Patient, carer and staff spaces in patient rooms
- Accessible counters
- Automatic doors on public accessible toilets
- Patient family lounge
- Sensory room
- Reception desk in the Emergency Department waiting room
- Family respite lounge
Over the coming years, these design standards will be systematically integrated into healthcare projects nationwide, including Canberra's new more than $1 billion northside hospital.
Health authorities from Queensland and Victoria have already indicated they will begin adopting these standards.
The ACT Government has established the Health Infrastructure Consumer Reference Group. This group builds off the success of the co-design process for the Canberra Hospital Expansion and will support the ACT Government in its delivery of future infrastructure projects.
The group will play a key role in the design of the northside hospital, stage two of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan and new health centres.
"The ACT Government is investing in new and upgraded health infrastructure across the ACT to meet the growing needs of our city.
"We will continue working with and listening to consumers and carers to ensure our facilities are safe, welcoming and accessible," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Quotes attributable to Kate Gorman, Deputy Director of Health Care Consumer's Association:
"Consumers and carers have generously shared their knowledge and experience of using health services and the challenges and needs they have expressed have made a big impact on the design of the spaces in the new building.
"Users of this new facility will notice comfortable, supportive spaces for patients and their families and carers, and design which focuses on the needs of people with disabilities.
"I'm delighted that the design improvements ACT consumers have led will now become part of health facility design guidelines for projects across Australia and is an impressive collaboration between government and community partners.
Visit hospitalexpansion.act.gov.au for a full list of consumer-led design components that will be in the new Critical Services Building.
