Environmental Alterations - Ruttle Ward
Phase I – Ruttle Ward
The first stage of First Patient involved a redesigning of many environmental elements of Ruttle Ward, the neurology ward, within the hospital. The concept was to alter an austere healthcare setting into an inviting humane and healing environment.
The Sanctuary
Bring the focus away from the view out the windows which overlooked other patients' rooms, to recreate a sense of nature in the room. To evoke a sense of nurturing and caring. This was achieved through:
Commissioning of a large mural depicting a calming scene of nature. It was necessary to guide the artist through the important elements that needed to be included in the imagery used.
Commissioning an artist to create screens that would evoke nature while at the same time allowing the abundance of natural light into the room. The screens in front of the windows took the focus away from the heavy window treatment and the view of patients' rooms while allowing light into the room.
Changing paint colour, furnishings, plants and furniture layout in the 'Sanctuary'. This is the room which is used by ward staff, patients and visitors to the ward. In addition news on the patient's health is often given in this room.
The Hallways and Ward Entrance
The creation of 'pause stations' where staff could work closely to the patients
Design to create a more welcoming atmosphere using a strong paint colour
Design cupboards that would hold gloves, aprons, medical notes outside of each room
Selecting original artwork that would relax the patient and improve the general ambiance of the hallways
Nurses Station
Paint colour, original art, redesigning of the work area to accommodate all the information needed by staff while hiding it from public view. This mean commissioning the construction of cabinets under the nursing desks
These changes have clearly benefited patients, staff and visitors. Other wards have used the Sanctuary as a place in which they give difficult news to visitors, as well it was the room in which a terminally ill patient was married. Staff of other wards have asked for similar alterations to be made on their wards and nurses have commented on how much more aware they are of the impact of environment to the patients and their own sense of well being.
Phase II - Hospital Street and Pastoral Care Corridor - Hospital Street
Professor Bryan Lawson (Dean of Architectural Studies, Sheffield University, UK) set out some guidelines for consideration when looking at wayfinding as well as pausing places.
Ideas for giving the street a sense of direction
Along the street (e.g. Memory Lane)
Across the street (e.g. one side different to the other
This will be addressed through the design and installation of a permanent exhibition based on the history of the three base hospitals. 27 images have been selected from the archives and will run down one side of the street from the atrium to the entrance to x-ray.
Ideas on wayfinding along and then off the street.
Signposting
Floor markers
Zones
Landmarks
This will be addressed through the creation of rooms within the first three 'alcoves', or gardens, along the street beginning at the atrium.
Each alcove will have different coloured walls, floor treatments and furnishings to again reflect the different base hospitals. 'Marmoleum' currently on the lower part of the walls and pillars will be removed and painted.
The pillars in each alcove will have the logo or coat of arms of each hospital.
In addition along the east side of each alcove the windows will have an image, such as the Meath Hospital, screened onto advertising film. The image of the hospital will fill the panes intermittently. This will allow the public to still see out into the courtyard, allow natural light in, and yet have an architectural image that reminds us of the history of the hospital.
Pastoral Care Corridor
The hallway is long and uninviting. In order to give the impression of shortening the corridor it will be necessary to make several alterations to the environment. In addition, there is a space at the end of the corridor that can be transformed into a seating and contemplative area for patients and visitors. The idea is to recreate a sense of a walk through the woods on a summer day. This will be achieved through:
Alter entrance to the corridor – this will be done within the remit of the Atrium Re-design
Install art at the entrance to the corridor as a mark of the beginning of the journey down the hall
Alter Lighting
Change Flooring to create a dappled effect
Remove 'marmoleum' currently on the lower part of the wall and change wall colour
Commission an artist to design and create a handrail that will be evocative of nature
Create, through an integrated design in the handrail, a fold down seat where patients and visitors can pause and rest.
Commission an artwork at the end of the hallway which will become a focal point
Commission or purchase large artwork to be installed opposite the 'pausing place'.
Seating/Contemplative Area
Purchase new seating, tables and furnishings to produce a sense of easy and intimacy
Lower lighting though the use of table lamps and uplighting
Install potted plants
