The Design Council have launched the Reducing violence and aggression in A&E by design that has been commissioned by the Department of Health.
The year-long project will involve designers, architects, healthcare experts, patients and frontline NHS staff working together to develop and trial potential solutions. The Design Council launched a national search for a design team or teams to work with A&E staff and patients at three NHS Hospital Trusts – Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The winning design team or teams will develop a variety of innovative solutions to give patients, visitors and staff a better and safer experience in A&E.
The solutions will include:
- Changes to interior design, such as redesigning layout and use of space, or introducing new products and furniture.
- Improvements to information given to patients and their families.
- Redesigned clinical and non-clinical services and systems.
The closing date for entries is the 4 April with shortlisted entries to be announced on the 18 April 2011. The winning designs will be showcased in October 2011.
