Nightingale Associates completes £3 million Critical Care Unit for Plymouth hospital

17 September 2008

Leading public sector architect practice, Nightingale Associates, has completed a £3m Critical Care Unit, which has now opened to the public.

Nightingale Associates were appointed by Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust to transform the facilities of the existing Derriford Hospital by designing a state-of-the-art new Critical Care Unit, built to accommodate the needs of both patients and staff.

The Critical Care Unit completes the £29 million development at Derriford Hospital, which Nightingale Associates were appointed to lead.

“Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust gave us a fantastic opportunity to transform the overall experience for patients and their families staying in and visiting Derriford Hospital.

“We are delighted to have played a part in enabling the Trust to provide some of the best quality medical care available.”

Sean Keaney, Senior Architect, Nightingale Associates

The Critical Care Unit, which enjoys panoramic views over Plymouth, was designed with the aim of enhancing and improving the experience for patients. Design features include:

Two specially-designed infection control rooms – These contain adjustable positive and negative air pressure, which will help to control and prevent cross-infection.
Improved natural light – The design team took advantage of the elevation of the site, and the potential views across the city, by ensuring that an abundance of natural light flowed into the wards from each side of the building. Each room is specifically designed to capitalise on space and light. This will support patient recovery, help to orientate recovering patients, and reduce risks of delirium in critical illnesses.
Larger bed spaces – the new unit provides individual bed spaces of 25m2 each, compared with just 8.5m2 in the existing building.

“With our new Department, we can offer some of the very best facilities in the country… which should make the experience more comfortable and better for patients, their families and our staff.”

Ian Wren, Matron and Manager for the Department of Intensive Care