These two wards caring for mainly elderly patients have recently been refurbished and works carried out to upgrade the toilet and bathing facilities.
Hospitals are large busy places and it is easy for anyone to become confused and anxious, and perhaps even more so for elderly patients, to help create a calmer atmosphere as well as making patients feel more secure large scale photographs reflecting the ward name have been used as part of the wayfinding inside and outside the ward.
The single rooms on these wards tend to be rather dark and all look out onto a brick wall, research and anecdotal evidence has shown that this type of environment can have a negative effect on how a patient feels and responds to treatment. To make the most of the very limited space in these rooms the ensuite toilet doors have been covered with an uplifting landscape image.
Feedback so far from both patients and staff has been very positive, the ward sister has said that the images make the ward feel much calmer with images to distract and calm patients and staff alike. Patients have commented that it just cheers you up and makes you feel better to see such lovely scenes around you. Domestic staff and porters have said that it is much easier to go straight to the right bed when the beds are so clearly labelled.
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Hartor Hembury connecting doors with image |
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A striking landmark directing you to Hartor ward in the main hospital corridor |
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A relaxing image in one of the single rooms on Hartor wardr |
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A welcome at the nurse's station on Hartor Ward |
