Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

Discover how a garden hospital design involving clinical staff has set a benchmark for future healthcare developments.

A photograph of the entrance to Dumfries and Galloway hospital - the roof line is made of triangular shapes, and the building is made of light coloured stone.
Published: 16/06/2020

A pioneer of the ‘garden hospital’ concept is Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary: a 344-bed hospital that sits among pastureland, trees, and hedgerows. 

Its innovative design emphasises natural light and access to outdoor space to support patients’ comfort and wellbeing. 

Helped by having clinical staff around the table during the design stages, the calm and light-filled therapeutic environment has set a benchmark for future healthcare developments. 

Designed by Ryder Architecture for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, the project was completed in 2017. 

Case study: Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

Read the full case study to find out more about the project, including further details on its architecture and design.

Garden hospital design

Central to the ‘garden hospital’ design is an emphasis on natural daylight. Light ‘courts’ throughout the inpatient pavilions allow for clear views across wards for both patients and staff.  

This opens up interiors and fills spaces with natural daylight. The approach ‘designs out’ any sense of enclosed isolation for the patients.

The hospital was designed to adapt, as far as is practical, to future changes in national policy or clinical and technological advancements.

The hospital’s facilities include: 

  • courtyards and gardens that provide calming views and places for restful healing.  
  • patient wards surrounded by garden spaces, many of which play an integral part in therapeutic practice.  
  • palliative care bedrooms with their own private gardens and dedicated space for beds to be wheeled outside.
A path leading through a newly planted garden between light coloured stone buildings
The use of native wildlife species in the green space contributed to the BREEAM very good standard achieved. Image credit: NBBJ Architects / Paul McMullin / NHS Dumfries and Galloway Health & Social Care Partnership

Involving staff and patients in design

The input of clinical staff throughout the various design stages was key to the success of the building. It helped to develop a sense of ownership in the different clinical groups.

Staff members met with the architects and designers, shared ideas with their teams, and gave feedback. This meant those who wanted to be involved could get a say.

An interior photograph of a large cafe area in a hospital with a whole wall of windows looking out to the green hills outside
The calm and light-filled therapeutic environment, as exemplified in the new garden hospital, has set a benchmark for future healthcare developments. Image credit: NBBJ Architects / Paul McMullin / NHS Dumfries and Galloway Health & Social Care Partners

“The departments that work particularly well are the ones that had a big input from the clinicians.” 

Stephen Howie, Project Manager for NHS Dumfries and Galloway 

Procurement 

A pre-tender consultation between NHS healthcare planners and architecture and construction advisors led to an initial reference design. This helped the client communicate exactly what they wanted.  

Representatives from every clinical department involved in the new hospital gave the design scores, which helped the bidders focus on where they should improve the design.  

Following the award of the contract, the architects undertook a thorough review of all aspects of the design in an intense period of engagement with the board.  

They involved the board’s clinical, support and management teams, as well as patient representatives.  

Wayfinding

The campus design ensures a person-centred environment which is safe, intuitive and efficient. Key patient routes around the hospital were tested to ensure the design minimised distances between departments.  

Routes include rest spots for elderly patients and areas that promote interaction between staff in different departments.

“Often people come to a big hospital with trepidation, but this building doesn’t have that feel. When you’re walking into it, you could be in a hotel or an airport terminal. There’s the brightness and the views out. It doesn’t have an oppressive, clinical feel to it, and this is important.”  

Stephen Howie, Project Manager for NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Sustainability strategy

A key element of the sustainability strategy was the provision of a fully functioning hospital while respecting the environment and indigenous wildlife. 

With the aim of bringing biodiversity back to the altered landscape, a diverse range of plants encourage a wide variety of insect and animal species. 

Green roofs enhance the site-wide strategy for habitat and help to meet the criteria for local authority sustainable environment policies.  

The use of green roofs also helps with storm water drainage, reducing the capacity demands for tanks and ponds.

“Feedback from patients, visitors and staff has been very positive. One of the clearest pieces of feedback is the emphasis on natural light and connections to landscape and outdoor space.”

Ian Crow, Ryder Architecture

Header image credit: NBBJ Architects / Paul McMullin / NHS Dumfries and Galloway Health & Social Care Partnership

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