The Design Council has launched a national design challenge called ‘Design for Patient Dignity’, inviting designers to join forces with manufacturers, service providers and contractors to find new ways to increase patient privacy and dignity in hospitals.
In partnership with the Department of Health, the Design Council is looking to award a minimum of £25,000 to five teams who would then develop and prototype new approaches that could help hospitals eliminate mixed-sex accommodation through physical or environmental design concepts, such as new forms of partitioning, layouts for wards or bathroom areas.
Alternatively, proposals could show how hospitals might maximise privacy and dignity where complete segregation cannot be provided immediately, for example, in acute wards.
Teams are being asked to submit their credentials as well as an 800-word summary on how they would approach the challenge, with solutions that would work at ward level, offer good value for money and take into account the behaviour of hospital staff, patients and their visitors.
The winning teams will be given support to deliver prototypes of their ideas by March 2010, when they will be showcased to the public and to health experts, hospital trusts, staff and patients.
The Design Council has recruited an Advisory Board of designers, manufacturers, healthcare experts, staff and patients’ organisations to advise the winning teams during the development phase. It will be chaired by Jane Priestman, a designer with experience in healthcare and transport infrastructure.
Designers and manufacturers should click on www.designcouncil.org.uk/dignity to apply.
The deadline for entries is 26th October.
Poll: Should the UK’s railways be renationalised?
If only the track is nationalised then it is an emasculated one with limited function and improvements will be focused on existing commuter and large...