Northern General Eye Centre

The Brief

As the first facility of its kind, many iterations and options were considered, and always with the needs of a very specific user group at its core.  The consideration of visually impaired users has dictated not only a very specific pathway model that runs through the building, but also the tactile finishes and physical proportions of the final design – this was intended to be a scheme that goes beyond designing for equality.

Currently the ophthalmology department for residents of Sheffield is located at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the treatment for cataracts is a fractured process, split over several different locations.

The Design

The design team worked closely with the various consultants to ensure that the building’s layout reflected the very specific needs of the end users. Many adjacency diagrams and layouts were tested to identify key building layout aspirations. Race Cottam was later employed by Kier as a P21+ scheme in order to see the project to completion.

The Outcome

The facility is designed to minimise waiting times and increase patient throughput by utilising a flexible layout and a series of interconnected rooms based on a new pathway model. In addition to improving efficiencies the pathway focuses on improving the patient journey, introducing new staffing models to place the patient at ease throughout treatment and is reflected in the distribution of spaces and facilities being provided.