New Hospital Design: How to Start Planning a Healthcare Facility

Our recent article on fire escape planning for disabled patients received an overwhelming response from our readers at hospital-designs.com. Many visitors sent queries seeking further advice on hospital design. One such request stood out and is worth sharing here.

A general practitioner from India contacted us for guidance:

“We are planning for a multi-speciality hospital on 1.5 acres. We need advice for the building plan and how to go about it.”

Initial Steps in New Hospital Design

1. Define Your Clinical Requirements

The most important first step in any new hospital design is to prepare a detailed clinical brief. Describe your hospital’s specialties, expected patient capacity, diagnostic facilities, and any unique operational needs.

We recommend preparing at least a one-page A4 document that outlines:

• The departments and services you wish to include

• Estimated number of beds

• Patient flow expectations

• Any future expansion plans

This document will guide all professional consultants throughout the process.

2. Appoint Experienced Architects

Invite three established architectural firms in your region that have completed at least one hospital as the lead consultant. Share your clinical brief with each of them and request:

• Artists’ impressions

• 1:200 scale floor plans

• Departmental adjacency diagrams

• Conceptual cost estimates

Once you receive the proposals, select the architectural firm that offers the most suitable design and demonstrates strong project leadership and coordination capabilities.

3. Bring in Engineering Consultants

Based on the appointed architect’s recommendation, onboard:

• Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) consultants

• Civil & Structural (C&S) engineers

These consultants will collaborate to develop a coordinated building design. Ensure all parties work together to integrate functional and technical services seamlessly into the architectural design.

4. Plan for Medical Equipment Early

Early engagement with a hospital equipment planning consultant is vital. They will advise on:

• The latest technologies suitable for your departments

• The space, power, and structural requirements of each item

For example, an X-ray room must be designed with floor trunking, ceiling-mounted supports, and dedicated data and power connections – all of which must be coordinated in advance with the M&E and architectural team.

5. Begin the Construction Process

Once the design matures:

• Appoint a construction company based on the architect’s recommendation

• Later, engage fit-out contractors for interiors, including walls, doors, finishes, equipment installation, and final detailing

The architect should also create a master programme outlining the full sequence of work, from design to handover.

Final Advice for New Hospital Developers

This outline provides a high-level understanding of how to begin your new hospital design journey. Every hospital project is unique, but starting with a strong team, detailed clinical brief, and well-coordinated design approach is essential.

For more technical guidance, you can explore NHS guidelines on hospital design or refer to UK-based best practice resources like Health Building Notes (HBN), which outline healthcare infrastructure standards.

Outbound Resources (Clean UK-Based Links)

• NHS Health Building Notes – https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/health-building-notes-hbns/

• Hospital Infrastructure Guidance – https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/hospital-infrastructure-and-building-programmes/

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