Healthcare facilities are not just about treatment rooms and surgical units; they also require well-designed public and staff amenities to enhance the overall experience of patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals.
These amenities include waiting areas, restrooms, cafeterias, lounges, and break rooms, all of which contribute to a functional, comfortable, and efficient healthcare environment.
Public amenities focus on providing a welcoming and stress-free experience for patients and visitors. They include spacious waiting rooms, accessible restrooms, cafeterias, play areas for children, and prayer/meditation rooms.
Staff amenities, on the other hand, are designed to ensure comfort, efficiency, and well-being for healthcare professionals. These include staff lounges, on-call rooms, rest areas, lockers, and dedicated dining spaces, all of which help reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction.
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1) Introduction
The Amenities Unit shall provide facilities for the convenience and comfort of staff and visitors to the hospital. Some of the amenities may optionally be used by patients who are permitted to access other areas of the hospital.
2) Planning of Public and Staff Amenities Unit
i) Planning Models
Amenities may be provided in a uniform configuration to Main Entry areas, public areas, staff areas and every level of the hospital, to ensure ease of access and consistency in location.
ii) Functional Areas
The Amenities Unit will consist of the following Functional Areas:-
- Public Toilets
- Staff Toilets
- Staff Change Rooms
- Disabled Toilets
- Bay for drinking water
- Prayer Rooms
- Ablutions Rooms
Public toilets
Public Toilets should be located in a discreet area with ready access to Lifts and Waiting Areas. Public facilities should include access to baby change and parenting rooms for baby feeding.
Staff change rooms and toilets
Staff Change rooms will include staff showers and locker areas. Change rooms, toilets and locker areas shall be provided separately for Male and Female staff.
Prayer rooms
Separate Male and Female Prayer rooms shall be provided, located in a discreet but accessible area. Provide Prayer Rooms on every level of the buidling Refer to Planning-Local Design Regulations for Design Considerations for Prayer Rooms; refer to Standard Components for additional Prayer Room requirements.
Ablutions rooms
Ablutions Rooms shall be provided adjacent to Prayer Rooms for the appropriate washing of hands and feet.
iii) Functional Relationships
Public and Staff Amenities should be located close to the Main Entrance with ready access to waiting areas and lifts. Amenities including Prayer Rooms will be required in public areas on every level of the hospital for ease of access.
3) Design of Public and Staff Amenities Unit
The design of amenities should create a pleasant atmosphere for staff and visitors to the hospital, whilst retaining the necessary functional requirements.
Consideration should be given to private and discreet entry areas for toilets and ablutions facilities.
i) Environmental Considerations
Natural light
Natural light is highly desirable where achievable, particularly for Prayer Rooms.
Privacy
Privacy is essential for toilets and ablutions rooms, while providing ease of access.
Acoustics
Acoustic treatment will be required to all Prayer Rooms, Toilet and Ablutions rooms. Please refer to () “Acoustic Solutions for Healthcare Facilities”
ii) Space Standards and Components
Prayer Rooms, Change areas, Toilets and Ablutions rooms shall be sized to suit the numbers of persons requiring use of the facilities and allow safe and effective movement of people through the rooms.
Safety and security
Staff Change and Locker areas shall be secured with electronic access.
Finishes
Floor finishes should be appropriate to the function of the space. Toilets and ablutions facilities should be tiled or vinyl floors with a suitable non-slip finish.
Consideration must be given to the appearance and quality of environment required e.g. noninstitutional, acoustic performance, slip resistance and infection control.
Wall finishes, cabinetry and bench tops must be easily cleaned.
Fixtures and fittings
Fittings and fixtures shall be robust and allow heavy usage in public and staff areas.
Building service requirements
Amenities areas will require air conditioning with controlled humidity and temperature to provide a comfortable environment for visitors and staff.
4) Components of the Unit
Patient and Staff Amenities will contain a combination of Standard Components and Non-Standard Components. Provide Standard Components to comply with details in the Standard Components described in these Guidelines. Refer also to Standard Components Room Data Sheets and Room Layout Sheets.
i) Non Standard Components
Bay – Drinking water
Description and Function – The Bay – Drinking Water provides a recessed area for a drinking water unit.
Location and Relationships – The bay will be located in public access areas close to Waiting areas.
Considerations – The Bay will include:
- Wall and floor finishes suitable for wet areas
- Drinking water fountain, with hydraulic connection to drinking water
- Fittings may include a dispenser for cups and waste bin.
5) Schedule of Accommodation
Public & Staff Amenities Unit Generic Schedule of Accommodation
Schedule of Accommodation for a Public & Staff Amenities Unit for Levels 3-6
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.
6) Functional Relationship Diagram
Public & Staff Amenities Unit Function Relationship Diagram
