Project:         Womens & Childrens Services  

Client:            The Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust

Value:            £5m

The Royal Free Hospital undertook the modernisation of their women and children's services.  As part of the strategy the provisions of a new Maternity Delivery Suite incorporating a Birthing Centre in addition to an Emergency Gynae unit (EGU) combined with and In-patient Gynae ward.

Maternity Delivery Suite and Birth Centre

The emphasis of the design was to provide a modern, welcoming, calming and non-clinical facility.  Special emphasis was placed on the design of the delivery rooms and creating spaces to allow women the freedom of movement during the course of their labour.

The unit provides a delivery suite comprising of LDRP delivery rooms with en-suite bathrooms, two Maternity Theatres and a Close Maternal Observation area.

The mid-wifery led Birth Centre shares facilities with the main delivery suite and provides additional LDRP delivery rooms including a birthing pool room.

Both areas are served by clinical back up facilities such as utility rooms, storage and staff rest and administrative areas.

Emergency Gynae Unit (EGU) and In-Patient Gynae Ward

The emphasis of the design was in providing a modern facility designed to meet the sensitive needs of women with gynaecological health requirements.  Emphasis was placed on the planning of the internal layout and choice of finishes to provide a sensitive, private and healing environment.  The In-patient Gynaecology ward facility provides 22 beds composed of four 4-bed bays and 6 single rooms all with en-suite shower room facilities designed to accommodate all women in an inclusive environment. 

The Emergency Gynaecology unit facility provides consultation rooms, dedicated ultrasound scanning facility, specialist counselling rooms, observation area and dedicated reception facility within a welcoming environment.  The areas have been designed so as the clinical backup facilities such as utility rooms, treatment area, staff rest, storage and administrative areas are shared between the two departments.