A hospital designed for patient safety

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury

Tunbridge Wells Hospital comprises an acute hospital and a new women and children’s centre. With 100 percent of its patient accommodation provided in single rooms, the new hospital far exceeds the NHS recommended minimum of 50 percent. The decision to take this approach was driven by concern for patient safety and infection control. Its success was down to great team work. Stantec worked closely with the trust, National Patient Safety Agency, research groups and the contractor to develop the design, drawing on its own experience in the U.S. where single room hospitals are more common.

Rooms are designed for maximum patient safety and comfort. Naturally ventilated, they all have landscape views and en-suite bathrooms, which are placed near the head of the bed to facilitate easy access and reduce the risk of falls.

The hospital benefits from a scenic countryside locale. The design makes the most of its locale by arranging patient accommodation into a series of finger wards. This has the effect of drawing the countryside deep into the hospital site and maximising natural light, views and gardens throughout the hospital. The result is a bright, healthy and safe building.