TYPES OF HEALTH FACILITY BUILDING ⋆ Archi-Monarch

Health facility buildings are specialized structures designed to provide medical care, treatment, and healthcare services to individuals. These facilities vary in size, function, and complexity, ranging from small community clinics to large multi-specialty hospitals.

Importance in Healthcare Infrastructure

Health facility buildings play a crucial role in ensuring access to quality healthcare. They provide a safe and functional environment for medical professionals to diagnose, treat, and manage various health conditions. Well-planned healthcare infrastructure enhances patient care, reduces disease burden, and supports emergency response efforts.

Different Types for Various Medical Needs

Different types of health facility buildings cater to specific healthcare needs. Hospitals handle major surgeries and critical care, clinics offer outpatient services, nursing homes provide long-term care, and diagnostic centers focus on medical testing. Each type plays a vital role in ensuring a comprehensive and efficient healthcare system.

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Health Facility Building Types are defined as follows:

1) Hospitals

Hospitals are defined as Health Care Facilities intended for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. For the purpose of these Guidelines, all Health Facilities which provide overnight care of patients will be classified as Hospitals.

Hospital Types may include:

Research and Teaching Hospital
General Hospital
Specialist Maternity Hospital
Specialist Paediatric Hospital
Specialist Cancer Care Hospital
Specialist Rehabilitation Hospital
Specialist Mental Health Hospital
Any combination of the above or other specialities

Some facilities will be treated in a similar manner to Hospitals however due to their lesser complexity; their prequalification level will be reduced. Types may include:

Nursing Homes
Dementia Care Centres

Research and Teaching Hospital – A hospital affiliated with a medical school or university that provides clinical education to medical students and residents while conducting medical research and offering advanced patient care.

General Hospital – A healthcare facility that provides a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, and maternity care, catering to diverse patient needs.

Specialist Maternity Hospital – A hospital focused on maternal and neonatal care, offering specialized services such as prenatal care, labor and delivery, postnatal care, and high-risk pregnancy management.

Specialist Paediatric Hospital – A healthcare facility dedicated to the medical treatment and care of infants, children, and adolescents, often providing specialized paediatric surgery, oncology, and intensive care services.

Specialist Cancer Care Hospital – A hospital specializing in oncology, offering advanced diagnosis, treatment, and research for various types of cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology.

Specialist Rehabilitation Hospital – A facility focused on post-acute care and rehabilitation for patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, strokes, or chronic illnesses, using physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Specialist Mental Health Hospital – A dedicated center for diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and substance abuse through therapy, medication, and inpatient care.

Nursing Homes – Residential facilities that provide 24-hour medical and personal care for elderly or disabled individuals who require assistance with daily activities, medication management, and nursing care.

Dementia Care Centres – Specialized facilities designed to support individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, offering tailored care, structured routines, cognitive therapies, and a secure environment to ensure safety and well-being.

2) Day Procedure Centre

Day Procedure Centres are defined as Health Care Facilities intended for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. For the purpose of these guidelines, where these types of facilities do not provide overnight care of patients, they will be classified as Day Procedure Centres.

Day Procedure Centre Types may include:

Day Surgery Hospital
Specialist Dental Surgery Centre
Specialist Eye Surgery Centre
Specialist Orthopaedic Centre
Specialist Plastic Surgery Centre
Specialist Radiotherapy Centre
Specialist Chemotherapy Centre
Specialist Dialysis Centre
Specialist Invasive Imaging Centre
Any combination of the above or other specialities

Day Surgery Hospital – A facility that performs same-day surgical procedures, allowing patients to recover at home without overnight hospitalization, commonly used for minor or minimally invasive surgeries.

Specialist Dental Surgery Centre – A clinic specializing in advanced dental procedures such as oral surgery, dental implants, maxillofacial surgery, and complex tooth extractions under anesthesia or sedation.

Specialist Eye Surgery Centre – A medical facility focused on surgical treatments for eye conditions, including cataract surgery, LASIK, retinal procedures, and glaucoma management.

Specialist Orthopaedic Centre – A specialized hospital providing diagnosis, treatment, and surgery for musculoskeletal conditions, including joint replacements, sports injuries, and spinal disorders.

Specialist Plastic Surgery Centre – A healthcare facility offering both reconstructive and cosmetic surgical procedures, such as burn treatment, cleft palate repair, breast augmentation, and facial reconstructions.

Specialist Radiotherapy Centre – A center dedicated to cancer treatment using targeted radiation therapy, delivering precise doses to shrink tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Specialist Chemotherapy Centre – A medical unit specializing in the administration of chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment, providing patient monitoring, supportive therapies, and personalized treatment plans.

Specialist Dialysis Centre – A facility offering dialysis treatment for patients with kidney failure, using hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.

Specialist Invasive Imaging Centre – A diagnostic and treatment center using advanced imaging techniques, such as angiography, fluoroscopy, and interventional radiology, for minimally invasive procedures.

3) Diagnostic Centre

Diagnostic Centres are defined as Health Care Facilities intended for the diagnosis of patients through specialist services and equipment. For the purpose of these Guidelines, where these types of facilities are stand alone and do not provide treatment services, they will be classified as Diagnostic Centres.

Diagnostic Centre Types may include:

Medical Imaging Centres
Nuclear Medicine Centres (not involving treatment)
Phlebotomy Centres
General Diagnostic Centres – EEG, ECG, etc.
Any combination of the above or other specialities

Medical Imaging Centres – Facilities specializing in diagnostic imaging services, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, to assist in disease detection and treatment planning.

Nuclear Medicine Centres (Not Involving Treatment) – Centers focused on using radioactive tracers for diagnostic imaging, such as PET and SPECT scans, to evaluate organ function and detect diseases like cancer or heart conditions.

Phlebotomy Centres – Clinics dedicated to blood collection for laboratory testing, medical research, or blood donation, ensuring accurate sample handling and patient safety.

General Diagnostic Centres (EEG, ECG, etc.) – Medical facilities offering a range of diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms (ECG) for heart function, electroencephalograms (EEG) for brain activity, and pulmonary function tests.

4) Rehabilitation Centre

Rehabilitation Centres are defined as Health Care Facilities intended for the treatment of patients with disabilities or injuries which require long term care. For the purpose of these Guidelines, where these types of facilities do not provide overnight care of patients, they will be classified as Rehabilitation Centres.

Rehabilitation Centre Types may include:

Specialist Physiotherapy Centres
Specialist Occupational Therapy Centres
Specialist Hydrotherapy Centres
Specialist Prosthetics and Orthotics Centres
Any combination of the above or other specialities

Specialist Physiotherapy Centres – Facilities focused on physical rehabilitation, pain management, and mobility improvement through tailored exercises, manual therapy, and advanced rehabilitation techniques.

Specialist Occupational Therapy Centres – Clinics specializing in helping individuals regain daily living and work-related skills through customized therapy programs for physical, cognitive, or developmental challenges.

Specialist Hydrotherapy Centres – Medical centers using water-based therapy to aid rehabilitation, pain relief, and muscle recovery, particularly beneficial for arthritis, neurological conditions, and post-surgical recovery.

Specialist Prosthetics and Orthotics Centres – Facilities providing custom-made prosthetic limbs and orthotic devices to enhance mobility, function, and quality of life for individuals with limb loss or musculoskeletal conditions.

5) Clinic and Centre

Clinics are defined as Health Care Facilities intended for the diagnosis and minor treatment of patients. For the purpose of these Guidelines, generally, all Health Care Facilities not classified under Hospitals, Day Procedure Centres, Rehabilitation Centres or Diagnostic Centres will be classified as a Clinic.

A Centre is a Clinic with the addition of support services such as a Laboratory and a Radiology Department.

Clinic Types may include:

General Practice or Group Practice Primary Health Centres
General and Specialised Clinics – Medical Polyclinics – School Clinics
General and Specialised Dental Clinics – Dental Polyclinics
Community Health Centres

General Practice or Group Practice Primary Health Centres – Clinics offering primary healthcare services, including routine check-ups, preventive care, vaccinations, and management of common illnesses, either by individual general practitioners or a group of healthcare professionals.

General and Specialised Clinics – Medical Polyclinics – School Clinics – Healthcare facilities providing both general medical care and specialized treatments, such as dermatology or cardiology, with school clinics focusing on student health, vaccinations, and minor illness management.

General and Specialised Dental Clinics – Dental Polyclinics – Clinics offering routine dental care, preventive treatments, and specialized services like orthodontics, oral surgery, and periodontics, with dental polyclinics providing multi-specialty dental care under one roof.

Community Health Centres – Public healthcare facilities providing essential medical services, preventive care, maternal and child health services, and health education, often catering to underserved populations.

6) Pharmaceutical Facility

Pharmaceutical facilities will always be reviewed as part of the above Health Facility Types. Only where they are stand alone, the design can be completed by a Design Consultant