Principles of Intelligent Hospital Design

BIM Academy is one of five contributors to a piece of research into Intelligent Hospital Design Principles.

Led by Ryder Architecture, in collaboration with BIM Academy, WSP, Hoare Lea and Barts Health NHS Trust, the research captured the lessons learnt from the Whipps Cross Hospital redevelopment and informing projects across the New Hospital Programme (NHP).

The NHP is a significant opportunity to create a more efficient, more responsive healthcare estate. It requires a flexible approach based on intelligent principles of design and construction. An approach that supports shared learning and is adaptable to the particular needs of each project.

The research produced 10 principles of Intelligent Hospital Design:

1. Digital as Default
2. Early Engagement
3. Collaborative Project Working
4. The Sustainability Charter
5. The Flexible Framework
6. Standardised Platforms
7. Factory to Frame
8. Reducing Emissions
9. Resilience with Renewables
10. People Centred Environments

The NHS in England is looking to come back from the brink of the pressures of COVID-19 with £3.7bn of investment currently allocated for major rebuilding projects across over 40 estates by 2030.

The importance of our health systems and estates has been brought into sharp focus by the pandemic, the effects of which continue to apply significant pressure on the NHS and highlight shortcomings in the responsiveness of the physical estate.

New hospitals and care systems must be able to respond more effectively. This requires delivery of more efficient care away from acute settings and greater flexibility of NHS estates to ensure capacity for surge and continuity of all care pathways.

The 10 principles in this report highlights a pathway to resolving some of the challenges facing the NHS right now and shares a vision for futureproofing the future of the health care sector.

To read the full Intelligent Hospital Design Principles report, download here.