MAIN ENTRANCE UNIT DESIGN FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITY ⋆ Archi-Monarch

The main entrance of a healthcare facility serves as the gateway for patients, visitors, and staff. It is the first point of interaction with the hospital or clinic and plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions. A well-designed entrance enhances efficiency, safety, and accessibility, ensuring a seamless experience for everyone.

A thoughtfully planned entrance improves:

Patient Experience: A welcoming, stress-free environment helps reduce anxiety.
Safety: Secure access points, surveillance, and infection control measures protect patients and staff.
Accessibility: Compliance with NBC standards, touchless entry, and clear wayfinding signage aid movement.

Impact on Patient Experience, Safety, and Accessibility

First Impressions Matter: The design of the entrance directly affects how patients and visitors perceive the quality of care.
Safety & Security: Hospitals must balance openness with controlled access to prevent unauthorized entry while ensuring a smooth flow of traffic.
Ease of Access: Features like automatic doors, ramps, and wheelchair-friendly pathways are essential for inclusivity.

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1) Introduction

The Main Entrance Unit provides for the following functions:

Entry to the hospital
Drop off and collection area
Patient reception
Patient and visitor enquiries
Way finding

2) Planning of Main Entrance Unit

i) Functional Areas

The Main Entrance shall include the following features:

Reception desk, which may be shared with Admissions Unit
Waiting Area, which may be shared with Admissions and other adjacent hospital units
Holding area for wheelchairs.

The provision of the following features is optional:

Airlock to the entrance lobby
Undercover drop-off and collection point.
Florist
Kiosk / Coffee Shop
Gift Shop / Newsagent
Retail Pharmacy
ATM / Banks or agencies
Hairdresser
Others as considered viable

ii) Functional Relationships

The Main Entrance may be co-located with the Admissions Unit to share Reception and Waiting Areas. Ready access to Public Amenities is required.

3) Design of Main Entrance Unit

i) Environmental Considerations

Entry area

The entrance shall be at grade level, sheltered from inclement weather, and accessible to the disabled.

Signposting

Particular attention must be given to signposting the Main Entrance and the hospital for the disabled. Relevant guideline requirements for disability are to be applied.

4) Components of the unit

The Main Entrance Unit will consist of a combination of Standard Components and Non Standard Components.

Provide Standard Components to comply with details in Standard Components in these Guidelines. Refer also to Standard Components Room Data Sheets and Room Layout Sheets.

i) Non Standard Components

Lobby

Description and Function – The Entrance lobby is the Main Entrance arrival point for patients and visitors to the facility. The Lobby will direct visitors to the Reception area and provide waiting areas and public amenities. The size of the Lobby will be determined by the functions to be accommodated and the volume of persons through the area.

Location and Relationships – The Lobby adjoins the Entry Airlock, Main Reception and Waiting areas. Close access to public amenities is required. The Lobby will have direct access to circulation corridors and lifts providing the thoroughfare to hospital units. The lobby should preferably be in close proximity to the drop off/ collection area.

Considerations – Security features provided in this area may be discreet and not noticeable to the observer, including CCTV, security room, and controlled access points.

The Lobby will require:

Effective signage to direct visitors and staff
Selection of floor finish to reduce the risk of slips and falls to visitors, patients and staff
Storage areas for wheelchairs.

Retail areas (Florist, Kiosks, Newsagent, Pharmacy etc.)

Description and Function – The Lobby area may include a number of retail areas for the convenience of patients, staff and visitors to the facility. The size and requirements of each shop will be dependent on the service provided. Local authority regulations may apply to provision of services such as Coffee Kiosks and Pharmacy.

Location and Relationships – Retail areas will require good public access, and ready access to public amenities.

Considerations – Retail areas will require:

Security features including lockable perimeter doors
Signage to shop fronts
Provision for display of wares
Services to be provided according to type of retail store

5) Schedule of Accommodation

Main Entrance Unit Generic Schedule of Accommodation

Schedule of Accommodation for a Main Entrance Unit for Level 3-4

Please note the following:

Areas noted in Schedules of Accommodation take precedence over all other areas noted in the FPU.
Rooms indicated in the schedule reflect the typical arrangement according to the Role Delineation.
Exact requirements for room quantities and sizes will reflect Key Planning Units identified in the service plan and the policies of the Unit.
Room sizes indicated should be viewed as a minimum requirement; variations are acceptable to reflect the needs of individual Unit.
Office areas are to be provided according to the Unit role delineation and staffing establishment.
Staff and support rooms may be shared between Functional Planning Units dependant on location and accessibility to each unit and may provide scope to reduce duplication of facilities.