Why should cinemas, sporting venues, casinos, and shopping centres have better amenities than health facilities? What can we learn from Airport facilities such as self check and registration systems? What innovations can health facility design adopt from commercial building design? What is the potential for multi use / mixed development solutions to be part of a health precinct?
Presenting at the annual Health & Design conference in Melbourne, John Breguet, Director, Health Consulting, Woods Bagot, posed these questions to over 150 delegates.
"Within Australia, and moreover, the globe is facing an increased demand for health services associated with both an ageing population and an amplified enlightenment for self health," said John Breguet. "A flow on effect of this is that within the health setting we are confronted with a number of challenges, including that of access to basic and high end healthcare facilities, all within a tightening budget framework."
Embracing a multi-sector approach to health design envisages the delivery of grater basic health care - including routine assessment and treatment delivery, closer to where people live, work and learn.
"Services might be delivered from a shopping centre, mixed-use development, or as part of an expanded 'civic' amenity," John continued.
Woods Bagot is structured to operate and integrate activities across three sectors - Education, Healthcare & Science, Lifestyle and Workplace and in future, see additional potential for the healthcare industry through the adoption of design solutions and innovations across sectors.
Yet how does this actually come to fruition? To facilitate the adoption of cross sector design solutions John suggests there will be a need to make a 'measured' investment.
"The opportunities presented by the Public Private Partnership model is one way in which cross sector innovation is being transferred," John said.