How to create a comfortable and safe environment in hospitals

It is not a secret that attending or staying in a hospital can be scary, and something not a lot of people look forward to. However, a key focus within the healthcare industry and among doctors and nurses is to try and make patients feel as safe and comfortable as possible. In this article we look at how to create a comfortable hospital environment.

HTM 63 and HTM 71 compliance

When designing healthcare facilities, there is so much more to consider than just the budget and the available space. In order to comply with healthcare regulations, all hospital furniture must adhere to industry standards as set out by HTM 63 and HTM 71. This ensures that all other requirements can be met, such as installing the furniture in such a way that the floors can still be cleaned thoroughly.

Infection control in the hospital environment

As part of the above industry standards, furniture should have sloping tops so dust cannot lie and settle there, and joints should be smooth so that dirt can’t gather in any crevices. Such a simple thing can often be hard to do, but David Bailey furniture is fully compliant with these regulations, and our healthcare furniture is built in such a way as to prevent dust settling on furniture. This thereby prevents infections from occurring and will prevent any unnecessary complications arising as a result of dirt and dust gathering on furniture.

Aesthetics and style

Another thing which should be considered, but can be overlooked, is the general aesthetic and style of the furniture within healthcare settings. A trend which first took flight in America, but is now also making footprints here in the UK, furniture that is compliant with all clinical regulations but does not appear as stereotypically clinical. What this means is that although the furniture within hospitals has to be clinically sterile to comply with health and safety regulations, by designing furniture in a way which is modern and fresh, this makes the patients feel more comfortable as their surroundings look less intimidating. By simply adding splashes of colour to door fronts or worktops, this helps the hospital look much more friendly, and makes the patients feel more relaxed.

Hospital environment – where to find out more

If you’d like to learn more about how healthcare furniture can help create a comfortable and safe hospital environment, please get in touch.

Read case studies about furniture contracts we’ve completed for several hospitals & healthcare facilities throughout the UK.

See our furniture being made and read quotes from architects, contractors and healthcare facilities we’ve worked with. Or please get in touch to find out how we may help with your latest project.

At David Bailey Furniture Systems, we have have helped architects and contractors design fitted furniture for the hospital and other healthcare environments for over 35 years. Our factory is in Broadstairs, Kent in the UK and we have provided furniture for many NHS hospitals and private hospitals, including Wexham Park, Guy’s & St Thomas’, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Spire Hospitals and University College London Hospital (UCLH), as well as many regional hospitals, GP surgeries and health clinics around England and Wales.

Image: Inauguración del Hospital Municipal de Chiconcuac by Presidencia de la República Mexicana licensed under Creative Commons 2.0