AfH MEND Stream – How Technology can Transform Hospitals For Staff Wellbeing

The pressure on the built environment due to escalating costs means that every m2 must be accounted for. The priority of the clinical requirements for the patients, bedrooms, outpatients rooms and the clinical support required means that the environment for the staff is often squeezed and omitted. Often leading to ill fitting, substandard staff spaces.

Purpose
Rethinking our healthcare settings and utilising technology creatively, we have the potential to transform our spaces.

By challenging the space usage and requirements, we can change how we deliver services and provide staff with spaces fit for their changing needs.

Method
The paper demonstrates the possibilities of reimagining healthcare spaces and how integrating technology can improve overall wellbeing for staff as well as patients.

Reduction of clinical spaces
Can more inpatient care and consulting be done remotely?

When patients are remotely cared for in the comfort of their own environments, they can be supported by friends and family, it is convenient and flexible without lengthy stays in hospital and unnecessary travelling to appointments. The patient can relax and recover in the privacy of their own home. With the remote support this ensures the patient feels prioritised.

With less space designated for clinical requirements, more space is made available for staff. For their multi discipline collaboration, areas to decompress, socialise and prioritise their wellbeing. A happier, healthier, more collaborative and more valued workforce will lead to higher productivity, efficiency and better patient outcomes.

Remote appointments can also minimise exposure to contagious diseases for both patients who are often already vulnerable and staff, minimising their chances of sickness and again increasing their productivity.

We can use our knowledge and experience from other sectors, the lessons learnt and best practice to rethink and better design these staff spaces. #AHR experience

Integration of technology to provide better diagnostic outcomes
In remote appointments, patients can access specialists who may not be available in their local area, ensuring they receive the best possible care. Easier and quicker access to specialists can also lead to faster diagnoses and treatments.

The use of AI within diagnostics can also remove human error, support and improve training and education by providing real life AI scenarios, improving clinical competency and confidence, ensuring better patient outcomes. Digital record-keeping and communication can streamline many administrative processes, reducing the pressure on staff and freeing up their time for staff to focus on patient care.

Results
Reimagining our healthcare spaces and utilising technology creatively, can provide better outcomes for patients and reduce the time and cost pressures on the NHS estate.

Conclusions
Challenging our traditional healthcare environments and long term investment in technology can have significant benefit to patients and staff.