A new £7.2 million Paediatric Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital is set to open on Monday.
Designed by Todd Architects, the new standalone building is the first in a proposed phased masterplan development for the hospital, aimed to enhance services as part of an overall investment plan for children and young people across the Southern Trust area.
While mostly single storey in height, the newbuild includes plant accommodation sited above the south westerly block, forming a two-storey folded roof element creating height and scale wrapping over the double height main entrance foyer area.
The facility comprises four key elements including a 19-bed inpatient ward and ancillary accommodation, a six-bed ambulatory care ward and ancillary accommodation, an outpatient department, consisting of five consultation exam rooms, treatment rooms, interview room and ancillary accommodation, as well as a staff support area made up of three consultant offices, two single offices and ancillary accommodation.
The bedrooms, which are bold in colour, cater not only for the patient but have been designed for families too, incorporating fold down beds integrated into the furniture, to enable parents to stay overnight with their children.
Speaking about the new build Matthew Stewart, from Todd Architects said: "The building’s architectural form is arranged to create interest, framed under a folding and embracing department roof, merged with a bright, playful and uplifting materiality.’
"This aspiration to create an embracing and playful structure extends to the interior design strategy; the corridors are treated neutrally which accent colours to define the staff bases and key spaces. Colour has been boldly used in the patient bedrooms and patient spaces to create a friendly hospital environment."
