As part of the update of HBN 4 ‘Acute in-patient accommodation’ (1997) the Department of Health Estates and Facilities division commissioned some research into the size and layout of en-suite WC and shower rooms for single rooms to identify a space-efficient design that would meet the needs of most patients.
This website describes the development and testing of the new design. All the layouts contained on this site are provisional. Final layouts will be published in HBN 40 'Sanitary spaces'. The en-suite is suitable for single bedrooms only.
The design provides an accessible WC and shower room that can be used by most independent wheelchair users and patients requiring assistance from staff, most within a space allowance of 4.5m². The key to the success of the design is the double door entrance. The doors can be folded right back, enabling staff to ‘borrow’ space from the bedroom when manoeuvring patients into the en-suite and onto the WC or into the shower. Without this borrowing of space the en-suite would need to be around 2m² larger.
The provision of handwipes next to the WC enables independent wheelchair users to cleanse their hands before transferring back onto their wheelchairs.
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 Play the video clip [5:26min] |
Mungo Smith, Architect, outlines the design research process and the development of the new door configuration. Bob Feeney, Ergonomist, explains the testing procedures and the testers give their feedback. At the open day, potential users give their thoughts about the new en-suite configuration. Finally, Mungo Smith considers the future development potential for the new en-suite.
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Introduction to the research project
www.adobe.com
En-suite design 
sue.taylor@dh.gsi.gov.uk