The hospital is about to be redeveloped under the Salford Health Investment for Tomorrow (SHIFT) project. These factors may influence patients’, visitors’ and stakeholders’ perceptions, their experiences and subsequent views and opinions of the environment of the hospital. Victorian buildings, outmoded ward stock and piecemeal on‐site redevelopment with a combination of poor infrastructure and outdated design typify the overall quality of the built environment of the Trust. It currently has approximately 900 beds and employs 3500 staff. The research was carried out at Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust (SRHT), a large acute teaching hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester that provides local, regional and national services. There is a need to explore the issues surrounding patients’ perceptions of and attitudes to hospital environments and to determine factors that contributed to their experience within that environment. However, emerging findings from Lawson and PhiriĪppears to support the assertion of US studies of a link between good surroundings and positive patient outcomes. There is little history of research work in the UK concerning patients’ perceptions of the internal areas of hospitals. Increasing social interaction through improved positioning of furnitureĪnd significantly decreasing pathological behaviour through creation of a supportive, stabilized environment for patients. Shortening recovery periods following surgery through enabling views of nature, There is some evidence that the built environment of the hospital can influence the healing process and that it can have a direct impact on patient outcomes including for example reducing levels of anxiety and stress, Researchers in the USA and Canada suggest that there are clear links between patient health and wellbeing and the environment of hospitals. This study forms part of a broader programme of research, which examined the factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of patients to NHS hospital built environments. Although the study has immediate relevance for Salford Royal Hospitals Trust, findings and recommendations reported provide NHS Estates and other relevant stakeholders with evidence‐based knowledge and understanding of patients’ perceptions and expectations of and preferences for particular facilities and estates provision in NHS hospitals. Responses suggest that patient attitudes and perceptions to the built environment of hospital facilities relates to whether the hospital provides a welcoming homely space for themselves and their visitors that promotes health and wellbeing.Ĭonclusions The findings have important implications for capital development teams, clinical staff, managers and NHS Estates personnel.

Patients identified having a need for personal space, a homely welcoming atmosphere, a supportive environment, good physical design, access to external areas and provision of facilities for recreation and leisure. Their accounts in each area pointed to the significance of the factors that immediately impacted on them and their families. Patients perceived the built environment of the hospital as a supportive environment. Results The research found that there was much similarity in the priorities, issues and concerns raised by patients in each of the four directorates.

Setting and participants Fifty one‐to‐one interviews held with hospital in‐patients across the four directorates of surgery, medicine, care of the elderly and maternity at Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Salford, UK. Objective To investigate the perceptions and attitudes of patients to the built environments of NHS Trust hospitals, in order to inform design excellence so as to make future hospitals places and spaces responsive to patient needs.ĭesign An exploratory study of patients perceptions based on qualitative semi‐structured personal interviews.

Ambience healthcare