Exploring the issues
The Design Council asked teams of designers and design research specialists to work with hospitals around the country. Immersing themselves in the hospital environment meant they were able to find out the full range of privacy and dignity issues that affect both patients and staff.
Researching with patients and staff
Interviewing and observing patients, staff and visitors (with their permission) enabled the research teams to find out the areas that were causing people most concern, and which needs and expectations were not being met.
Working with experts
Because it was important that a range of experts gave advice and guidance from the very beginning of the design process, the Design Council brought together an Advisory Board and an Expert Reference Group. Made up of professionals and specialists from the NHS, academia and industry, as well as designers and individuals from patient representative groups, these groups gave vital feedback throughout the project.
Defining the problem
Designers and members of the Expert Reference Group grouped all the research undertaken in hospitals and with staff and patients into twenty focus areas. With advice from the Advisory Board, these were narrowed down into design briefs to address six specific issues, as well as one open brief.
Setting the challenge
The seven design briefs were opened up to the UK’s designers, architects and manufacturing industry, who were invited to form teams of designers and manufacturing and design partners. A matchmaking event also introduced potential manufacturing partners to each other.
Selecting the design teams
From 62 entries, a judging panel made up of select members of the Advisory Board and external experts chose six teams (including leading UK product, interior, and system designers) to work on creating proof-of-concept designs.
In addition, specialists in healthcare design from the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Centre were invited to develop their own design solutions to the briefs.
Generating ideas and concepts
The design teams were given access to all the design research undertaken in hospitals, and many did their own additional research and observation in healthcare environments. With regular input from the Expert Reference Group, they developed their ideas for solutions, ultimately developing them into concepts and visualising them as computer models, mockups and initial prototypes.
Getting feedback from patients and staff
These concepts will be presented to patient representative groups, NHS staff and other stakeholders, and their feedback will help the design teams refine their ideas into final designs.