The fact that the Government needed to tell us how to wash our hands properly during the pandemic highlighted that there is a huge gap in infection control knowledge among the vast majority of the general population. COVID-19 led to a dramatic turning point in the general awareness of infection prevention and control (IPC) as

 Architects, design teams, construction companies, and manufacturers; the skills of you all are required in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Surely – such personnel might think – this is a mistake? Is this indeed not the province of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and veterinarians? While the latter professionals undoubtedly have an important role,

The evolution of global healthcare models requires a profound rethinking of healthcare infrastructures as an opportunity to interpret the multiple instances that are transforming contemporary paradigms at a social, economic, and environmental level. The global challenges of our time — such as ageing population, inclusive design, Artificial Intelligence, and climate change and urbanisation, may find

Critical ventilation systems, i.e. those serving areas that cannot function safely without such systems (for a full list see HTM 03-01 a, paragraph 4.311) in healthcare premises, when designed, installed, and maintained correctly, help control the spread of airborne pathogens through the dilution and removal of contaminated air. Not all systems comply with current standards,

Hospitals across the UK are increasingly reliant on sophisticated electrical systems and diagnostic equipment in the daily treatment of patients, but such equipment is itself reliant on a secure and stable power network to deliver 24/7 operation. Whether it be in the the A&E Department, an operating theatre, wards, or service areas including — for

Communication technologies like mobile phones and Wi-Fi have catapulted us into an era where today’s reality is often even more incredible than yesterday’s science fiction. However, when it comes to the transportation of physical objects, we are clearly a long way from replicating the type of teleportation machines synonymous with the Star Trek franchise. So,

The UK government has announced that five hospitals constructed mostly using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) will be rebuilt by 2030 as part of the New Hospital Programme, to ‘protect patients and staff safety’. The five hospitals are Airedale in West Yorkshire, Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn in Norfolk, Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire, Mid Cheshire Leighton, in

The Hospitals of the Future Project is a new landmark hospital development that sits at the forefront of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP). My role is one of many that form part of the Trust’s Building the Leeds Way Programme (BtLW) Team, led by experienced Programme director, Mike Bacon. A new ‘state-of-the-art hospital’ Leeds

DRLC is a family firm which supplies Authorising Engineering services to healthcare facilities. The company was formed in 2016 by managing, David Livingstone, and is run by he and his partner, Dr Louise Webb. Since founding the company in 2016 in Sheffield, the pair have increased DRLC’s range of services from initial ventilation work to

The innex.ai platform integrates a comprehensive database with a user-friendly chatbot interface, effectively reducing search times by 35%, and enhancing the quality of responses by 53%. This breakthrough promises not only to streamline access to information, but also to enhance collaboration and decision-making across the NHS. Following a successful pilot at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS

New evidence shows the central role of light in setting the body clock — from neonatal to end-of-life, acute, and chronic effects, and in supporting shift work. Light is also critical to other physiological functions, including stress, mood, and appetite. Some clinicians even consider lighting to be a medical intervention, with a recent editorial suggesting

The roundtable — the idea of Steve Batson MIHEEM, Studio director and Sector Lead for Healthcare at architecture and masterplanning practice, Stephen George + Partners, and Phil Morrison, a Partner at Leeds-based solicitors, Clarion — was held on 11 June at Clarion’s offices. The firm had kindly offered to host the proceedings, and indeed Phil

Our work at Apex is really diverse. We work across every sector, and while many of our contracts are for large-scale, multi-million pound builds, we also work on quite architecturally sensitive regeneration projects that require a great deal of care and bespoke solutions. However, I have always had a particular focus on the healthcare sector.

The Spring Budget 2024 in March announced a £100 m funding package for AI, some of which will be channelled into the healthcare sector. It comes at an opportune time. Since COVID-19, there has been a distinct focus on improving both the number and quality of healthcare facilities in the UK. The Department of Health

The healthcare sector has experienced many challenges that have strained its ability to deliver the most efficient and timely care. One issue is the increasing pressure on resources, as hospitals grapple with surges in patient numbers, particularly during peak periods of infection. This has manifested itself in often overwhelmed intensive care units, shortages of essential