The project has built several prototype rooms that are close replicas of what will likely be seen in the new Acute Services Building.

These were designed after extensive consultation and interviews with patients, carers and staff that helped create the Emotional Design Brief.



Further feedback from clinicians ensures the rooms are fit for purpose and our project user groups and the simulation team were also involved in the planning and testing of the rooms.  Watch our video to find out more about this process.

One patient bedroom 

Extensive scenario testing has been undertaken in this room to ensure that key clinical procedures and general patient mobility can be undertaken safely.

The room includes a dedicated zone for carers and visitors. A bulkhead is designed to sit over this space to create a more cosy, homelike feeling along with wall panels that have a warm timber finish rather than sterile looking white walls.

Design features include wardrobe and storage space along with a desk so visitors can still carry out work while they watch over their loved ones.

A bench seat offers seating for up to four adults and can be converted to a bed to provide the opportunity for a carer to stay overnight.

There’s also space for flowers and a display board for cards, photos from home, artwork and messages (separate to the patient care board).

Each room has a large window to provide natural light and local views which also helps Aboriginal community members remain connected to Country. There is also a privacy curtain at the door.

There are several options for lighting with a downlight for examination above the bed, a wall mounted patient light, dimmable lighting above bed, lighting for the carer zone, and underbed floor lighting.

Two patient bedroom 

This room incorporates many of the elements of the one patient bedroom. The two patient room has been designed so that both patients can look out the window with space also available for carers.

A vision panel outside enables staff to have views of the patients and space for clinical write ups with computers.
 

Birthing suite

This suite has been designed to provide a safe, private, welcoming and homely space for women, their partners and staff to provide a positive birth experience.

The curved walls are designed to invoke the sense of being held in a soft environment.

Entry to the room is private and doesn’t face the bed and there is lots of space available to support an active birth.

All medical equipment can be hidden from view while still being readily accessible to staff.

Some rooms feature a bath that has three steps and grab rails along the wall to help mothers safely enter and exit.

The tap will potentially be floor mounted to prevent women grabbing onto them and the waterflow allows the bath to be filled quickly.

The carer’s bench in this room is on wheels so it can be moved around when required.

Bariatric patient bedroom

This area offers wider double doors to accommodate larger patients in this room and the carer’s space is also built for larger visitors.  

The emergency button has been positioned closer to the entry door side of the bed and a nurse call system allows patients to press a button to speak to the nurse.  

Staff station

The colours for these spaces have been chosen to be noticeable and encourage people to gather there – a part of the building’s wayfinding strategy.

A notch in the bulkhead is also part of the wayfinding strategy to subtly encourage visitors to approach the bench at that point.

Desk space has been designed to support double monitors, and the rounded bench top is deep enough to allow papers to be on top and still have free space to work around.

At the rear of the station is space to support clinical write ups with additional computers to enable administrative work to be done away from the bench.

An annunciator is above the station and an electronic patient journey board will be displayed in the clinical workroom.

Nexus inpatient unit

The new unit has been co-designed with patients who have lived experience.

Their feedback has helped informed the designs including having three different colour schemes across the patient rooms that are brighter and more attractive to younger people.

The kookaburra is part of the graphics in this space and is known in Aboriginal culture as looking over or caring for people.

Windows with integrated venetians can be opened and cleaned, and the top of the ensuite door is a cut out anti-ligature design to minimise incidents of self-harm.

There is a bench space so patients can use a device, draw or design and it can also be available as a carer’s bed if required.

The large kitchen and communal recreation spaces allow people to gather when they’re in the mood for company but there’s also a space that will be available to support de-escalation of any incidents.


 

Neonatal ICU – high dependency bay

This space has been specifically designed to support both parents and staff move freely and comfortably.

There is a fold out carer’s bench that is mobile and can be used for seating or sleeping and a large comfortable chair for breastfeeding.

A design feature is a circle on the vinyl floor to denote the clinical space around the crib and patient vital signs, monitor and camera will all be supported on the pendant.