Name: Chris Tann
Job Title: Head of Estates
Organisation: Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Trust
Email: chris.tann@chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01246 513343
Key team: Chris Tann, Ian Summers, Sarah Turner-Saint, Staff and Patient Forum
Abstract:
Patients regularly complained that they could not find their destination as many of our corridors looked the same and the old signage was unclear.
We hoped to improve 'wayfinding' and create a colourful, brighter environment, in contrast to the existing powder blue walls.
Who benefits? Patients, staff and all visitors to the hospital.
Having identified the need for change, we set up patient and staff fora to help guide the process. The fora identified the need for an experienced signage consultancy that could make the hospital more accessible to all.
The consultancy recommended that the site be split into five coloured zones, easily identifiable by their wall colouring and coordinated signage. This colour banding of the main corridors acts as a quick and easy reference to all our sighted visitors, no matter where they are.
Signs also featured Braille and were placed at a suitable height for wheelchair users.
A full review of art on the patient corridors was also carried out to ensure that displays were attractive and interesting.
All departments were consulted about their needs and reviewed proposed signage prior to final production. Patient groups and user groups were consulted on a regular basis and all parties were asked to comment on a pilot 'yellow' area.
All appointment letters also now refer to a coloured zone and department or ward name.
We realised that the scheme had been a success when the signs were put in place and the groups involved were asked for their opinions and they were positive. Impromptu comments have also been received from staff and patients not co-opted to the fora.
Funding had to be found for the project. Movement of and change of department names also creates the need for flexibility. One of the barriers faced was the large number of place names that needed to be routed.
Funding was obtained by 'selling' the concept to all wards and departments, with the ward managers backing the £130,000 scheme with £5,000 each. Signs have been developed that allow letters to be changed simply by using a hairdryer and self-adhesive lettering. The colour zoning of areas overcame the need for long lists of place names to be featured on each sign, as was the case previously.
Colour coded car parking to follow. This will ensure people park closest to the appropriate entrance, giving them a shorter distance to walk. In turn, this will reduce congestion caused by first time visitors parking near to the main entrance and not the nearest entrance to their destination.
Many staff and patients have commented on the attractiveness of the shades employed. The saffron yellow is particularly popular.
The signage contractor has since used our scheme to showcase its talents at a recent conference attended by health facilities and estates managers from across the UK.
