5 mistakes to avoid when buying healthcare furniture

There are many factors to bear in mind when buying fitted and non-fitted healthcare furniture, from infection control measures and accessibility, through to cost efficiency and hospital aesthetics. Here are five mistakes to avoid when buying healthcare furniture.

1. Designing in phases

When planning a healthcare space, it is important to plan the whole space at once; where the furniture will be placed, the materials to be used and the accessibility of the space. This ensures there are no issues down the line with ill-fitting furniture or even the safety of those using the environment through infection control or trip hazards.

2. Designing in siloes

It is fundamental to design your healthcare spaces with the involvement of those who will be using, and working in, the finished space. They are ‘on the front line’ and will have direct, often daily, contact with, or use of, the furniture once fitted. Use surveys or focus groups to gather the opinions of your stakeholders and use their feedback to support purchasing decisions.

3. Cost vs. durability

Choosing the cheapest option can be tempting in the short term to keep costs low and to get the plan past the budget-holder. However, the cheapest options are rarely the most durable, therefore you will find yourself replacing the furniture and incurring more cost in the future.

4. Cleaning compatibility

When purchasing healthcare furniture, the compatibility of materials with hospital-grade cleaners, detergents and disinfectants should be a fundamental aspect of the decision. Always research the chemicals used to ensure furniture is not damaged or becomes unsafe for use once cleaned.

5. Choosing a non-specialist furniture supplier

A specialist healthcare furniture manufacturer will understand the environment you are working with, and will be able to support you with the design, delivery and fitting of your new furniture. They will know the sector inside-out and will be able to make recommendations and support your team to make the best use of your budget. David Bailey Furniture Systems is a specialist British manufacturer of fitted furniture for the healthcare and hospital market and we would be happy to help with your next project.

Buying healthcare furniture – where to find out more

If you’d like to discuss a healthcare or hospital furniture project, please get in touch.

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of fitted furniture for hospitals and healthcare facilities, we can design, manufacture and install furniture to meet your individual project requirements. Our Healthcare furniture range is specified for all types of hospital refurbishment and new development projects, from NHS Trust premises to private hospitals. All our furniture is manufactured at our factory in Broadstairs, Kent, here in the UK. Find out more about our range of HTM 63 and HTM 71 compliant healthcare furniture.