Theme C: Inclusive Design excellence
We will continue to strive for excellence in the design of inclusive facilities, services, and practices in order to provide a high standard of accessibility and inclusivity throughout all patient pathways. This will be achieved through our organisational cultural approach to how we design and deliver services by further embedding the Equality Impact Assessment process (EQIA) and assurance design principles. In doing so, we are also firmly committed towards reducing health inequalities experienced by our service users and will continue to promote this agenda across all aspects of service delivery. This work will be achieved through close collaboration with key stakeholders involving multiple engagement methodologies. We plan to further strengthen our engagement practices through a key leadership role within the Service Design community of practice (Healthcare Improvement Scotland) including:
- Leader and facilitator of new Inclusive design community of practice under the theme of ‘Seldom heard voices’.
- Establishment of new national user experience panels to represent the nine Protected Characteristics and Fairer Scotland Duty.
- Strengthen connections with local and national charities and community groups for people who share a Protected Characteristic.
- Official launch event and associated training (eLearning / classroom) for the new Equality Impact Assessment process (EQIA).
We will continue to deliver equality through the implementation of inclusive design principles throughout our hospital expansion programme and works to existing facilities. In doing so, we will identify and prioritise key areas for improvement based on updated Building Standards and Best Practice guidance for accessibility including:
- Review of existing accessible sanitary facilities and provision of a Changing Places Toilet (CPT).
- Review of existing wayfinding signage.
- Review of existing interior finishes, f ixtures and fittings.
The first example of our work in this area can be experienced in the new Eye Centre – forming phase one of our hospital expansion programme, including:
- Innovative wayfinding strategy incorporating coloured and lettered zoning, directional wayfinding floor lines, visual impairment, and dementia friendly interior finishes.
- Signage strategy featuring gender neutral high contrast, visual impairment and dementia friendly tactile symbols, embossed text, braille, and integrated hearing loop signage.
- Bespoke manifestations and integrated art strategy to full height glazing featuring the iconic River Clyde skyline and NHS Scotland branding.
The implementation of Innovative technological solutions to overcome inequalities will continue to form an important part of our remit moving forward. Our strategic partnership with Jayex – a leading developer of self-check in kiosks will feature an industry first for accessibility including:
- Fully height adjustable wheelchair accessible kiosks.
- Enhanced accessibility functionality including – pinch and zoom magnification, voice guidance, colour themes, text to speech and voice recognition for hands free check in.
- Complimentary suite of language options featuring voice guidance and text to speech functionality spoken in ten core languages.
In addition to the above, we continue to engage with external partners to bring forward the latest advances for accessibility including:
- The first hospital in the UK to introduce a pilot study of the Welcome app platform for disabled patients who require additional help and assistance during the arrival and check in process.
- The first NHS Board in Scotland to introduce the audio description toilet by ADI Access to assist patients who are blind or visually impaired.
- Bespoke decals for vending machines within the new Eye Centre to reflect minimum best practice standards for optimal contrast and text height viewing.
Equality Outcomes – Theme C
Our equality outcomes related to Service Design excellence are:
- C1, Continue to lead on and develop the Inclusive design community of practice to create a central resource for design excellence.
- C2, Establish a series of User Experience panels covering the nine Protected Characteristics and Fairer Scotland Duty.
- C3, Continue to innovate and transform the accessibility of patient services by embedding inclusive design (facilities, services and practices).
