CABE calls for better design of primary healthcare buildings procured by LIFT companies

CABE is calling for an improvement in the design of primary healthcare buildings procured by LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) companies.

Publishing the findings of a sample survey of 20 out of 82 LIFT facilities completed between 2002 and 2006, CABE has stated that unless a scheme achieves a benchmark standard of 'excellent' in design, it should not be approved for construction. Forty per cent of the design criteria (not buildings) surveyed - categorised within functionality, build quality and impact - scored good or better. Seven percent of the design criteria scored excellent. In addition, the LIFT companies' project delivery teams need to be strengthened through more design training and the support of committed client design advisors.

Many more LIFT schemes have been completed since the survey and CABE is working with the Department of Health and Community Health Partnerships to champion the best and share the lessons from them.

Mairi Johnson, CABE's interim director of enabling, commented:

'The LIFT programme is the NHS's biggest ever investment in improving and developing premises for primary and community frontline services, so every one of those new buildings should contribute positively to the health and well-being of the local community. Great schemes such as the Heart of Hounslow and the Plowright Surgery, in Norfolk, show the kind of quality we want to see routinely.'

Good design features of the buildings surveyed included a single reception point on entering a building, which offers an early welcome and easy orientation; generous amounts of light

and ventilation, contributing to a calm and comfortable environment and saving energy; and well-managed outdoor space with seats, planting and bicycle parking.

Areas of design weakness found in the sample survey include prioritising maintenance over quality of patient environment, resulting in the use of materials that create an overly institutional atmosphere, rather than welcoming and reassuring spaces.

Notes to editor

• Assessing design quality in LIFT primary care buildings studied the design quality of 20 out of 82 primary care buildings completed at the time of the survey and built under the first three waves of the programme between 2002 and 2006. The survey looked at each building's functionality, build quality and impact. None of the facilities is identified.
• CABE's 10 elements of a successful healthcare design are:
  • good integrated design
  • well-managed public open space
  • a clear plan
  • a single reception point
  • well-planned waiting areas and circulation
  • robust and attractive materials, finishes and furnishing
  • generous amounts of natural light and ventilation
  • effectively planned storage
  • ability to adapt to future changes
  • a layout which encourages out of hours community use
• Download Assessing design quality in LIFT primary care buildings