Room Story. Malcolm Hart Foundation

Case Study: Transforming Family Rooms and Waiting Areas at a North London Hospital Critical Care Unit

Client: Malcolm Hart Foundation

Location: Imperial Hospital, North London, UK

Project Overview:
With support from The Malcolm Hart Foundation Charity, the North London Hospital’s Critical Care Unit (ICU) embarked on a project to revamp its family rooms and communal waiting areas outside Intensive Care.

Challenges

• Updating old, tired areas: Both the family rooms and waiting areas needed to provide comfort and support, with designs that encouraged relaxation during moments of distress.

• Ensuring NHS Compliance: The redesign had to meet NHS standards, incorporating safety, infection control, and the use of durable, easy-to-maintain materials.

• Balancing Comfort and Practicality: The communal waiting area had to accommodate multiple visitors while maintaining a sense of quiet, and the family rooms needed to offer privacy and comfort for sensitive conversations.

Solutions

1. Colour and Design Transformation:

   • Colour was added to both the family rooms and waiting areas. The colours were chosen to add some brightness and depth to a combined mix of ultra small rooms and big, open plan communal areas.

2. Furniture Selection and Arrangement:

   • In the family rooms, we chose comfortable sofas that were big enough to lie down on; visits to ICU often result in long, late visits for close family and friends. Accent furniture was arranged to facilitate supportive conversations, complemented by side tables for practical use in the new kitchen area.

   • The communal waiting area featured high-back sofas and armchairs to allow for flexible arrangements, providing 'pods‘ that could give private spaces within the main waiting area. The setup was designed to accommodate various group sizes while still offering semi-private seating.

3. Meeting NHS Compliance:

   • All materials, furnishings, and finishes were selected to comply with NHS infection control standards, ensuring that the spaces remained hygienic and easy to maintain.

   • The layout design maintained clear pathways and accessibility, essential for a healthcare setting.

Results

• Comforting and Relaxing Environment

• Improved Functionality and Flexibility

• Community-Supported Transformation

• Compliance with NHS Guidelines

Conclusion

The project was made possible by the generous support of The Malcolm Hart Foundation Charity, recognizing the importance of creating comforting facilities for families facing difficult times, their aim is to have a Malcolm Hart Quiet Room in every hospital that needs one. 

This project underscores our commitment to transforming environments to better serve the needs of those using the space and partnering with industry experts to fulfil the brief. 

Contact us to discuss your project requirements.

Find out more about the Charity at: www.malcolmhartfoundation.com