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Design Ideas to Kickstart Your Dental Practice Construction

Dental Fitouts / By

The effects of COVID, has contributed to an altered Healthcare vision.  Patients nowadays look for safety and an assurance that they are in good hands.  How your Dental Practice is perceived by your patients is key to business success.  It’s clear that customer’s value dental practice cleanliness, it calming ambiance and how visually pleasing the façade is.   It’s obvious that the house converted Dental Practice is a thing of the past.  The mission brown bricks and the narrow doorways are no longer suitable or pleasing to patients.

 

Accordingly, is it time to consider a Dental Practice Construction?

Have an intelligent business plan

The most important part of a Dental Practice Construction is the initial business plan.  To ensure your new Dental Practice will be successful, you will require time and resources to invest into a detailed business plan.  Ensure your trusted finance specialist will create an Investment Budget including cash flow forecasts, allowable deductions and a return on capital.  Ensure your new site satisfies all local council requirements in respect of car parking, permits and approvals.  Plan the use of technology in your practice.  Consider staff and staffing costs.  Consider Insurance and future growth.  Having an intelligent business plan will determine the success or failure of your Dental Practice Construction.

Know your budget and have finance available

Most importantly ensure you work within your budget. It is imperative that your architect/designer draws your new Dental Practice Construction with your budget in mind.  Too often we find extravagant architects drawing with spectacular designs and interiors only to find it is outside the budget of the customer.  This only causes dissatisfaction and a yearning for a vision that is simply not possible.  It is critical to the success of the Dental Practice Construction that all designs are drawn to budget.  One idea is to source a Design and Construction Company rather than engaging an Architect and then a Builder.  This idea is centred on the qualified designer designing a practice that is within budget.  This really is the key to success.

 

In respect of finance – often Dental Practice Constructions are fully financed or may also have outside Investor injection.

 

If you are considering a Dental Practice Construction yet cannot finance the entire project yourself, Clinics by Design can help with an introduction to a finance specialist.  Over the years, we have found it easier to source finance when dealing with a finance partner who understands the Dental Practice Constructions.

Choosing the right builder

The ultimate key to success is the ‘right’ builder.  Ensure your builder is a registered Builder with the VBA, Victorian Building Authority or your local state authority. Too often in practice, Dental Construction companies are not actually licenced to carry out your Dental Practice Construction, rather they use the Building Licence of a 3rd party.  In this situation, if you have an issue with your construction that cannot be settled, and a dispute escalates to legal, there is very little success suing the builder who does not hold the building licence.  The building company simply would de-solve and the customer would find themselves in litigation fighting a company with very little to lose.

 

The ‘right’ builder will also have a long history of exceptional workmanship.  The ‘right’ builder will be happy to provide previous dental practice construction walk-throughs.  The ‘right’ builder will listen to what their customers want and will attempt to understand the customers dream. It’s most important that you have confidence in your builder from the get go.

Be realistic

The life of a Dental Practice Construction is in the vicinity of 6 to 12 months.  Construction companies run to a very tight timeframe with Ghant Charts and schedules detailing the exact performance of each phase of the job.  Factors outside the builders control can delay jobs, like the weather and most recently COVID.  It’s important to understand that both builder and customer wish for the shortest project completion time as possible.  There is a cost to any builder for any project overruns.  Accordingly, both parties have the same agenda in wishing the project be completed in the timeliest fashion.  In situations where there might be delays, it’s important to communicate.  Simple explanations and being kept up to date will often be the deciding factor between a close working relationship and a distant one.

 

Establish contingencies. Ensure you have a list of strategies if things change throughout the project.  Think about disruption, think about possible variations and even have a plan in case the project finishes early.  The more that a customer is ready for a hiccup, the better the outcome.  So we recommend investing time focusing on possible contingencies.

Enjoy your future

Your Dental Practice Construction has reached its final completion and you have now received the Certificate of Occupancy.  You might wish to pop the cork to celebrate or if that is not your thing, maybe just sit back and take in the ambiance of your new Dental Practice.

 

When it’s time to welcome your first patient, it’s time to exhale and enjoy your future – it’s time for your Dental Practice to start to repay your Investment.

FAQ

How much input do I get?

The consultation process is very in-depth.  It’s most important that the ideas in your head are able to be transferred to us.  From here, our designers and draftsperson will develop plans.  Your input is critical to the success of the project.

How much does a fit out cost

Simple fit out projects vary in price.  Construction projects also vary in price depending on what is called up.   Some premises come as a ‘cold shell’ which require all interiors from flooring to air-conditioning etc.  These fit outs are more expensive than a simple warm shell refurbishment.  Highend construction projects are more expensive than a budget construction.  After an in-depth consultation and a walk-thru, Clinics by Design will be in a better position to provide a quote.

What is your quality like?

Put simply Clinics by Design’s workmanship is second to none.  All cabinetry is custom made, we use our own employees rather than contractors and our director is involved from commencement to finish.  Almost all our projects are secured via from word of mouth.  At Clinics by Design we figure a happy customer word is worth more than any advertising campaign.

How long does construction take?

Dental construction can take between 6 to 10 months depending on the number of rooms involved.

How do I contact you?

We are contactable via email info@clinicsbydesign.com.au or please call our office on 03 9532 0350.

veterinary reception - Clinics by Design

How to Choose the Best Veterinary Clinic Design?

Veterinary Fitouts / By
veterinary reception - Clinics by Design

The thought of renovating or building a new Veterinary Practice is daunting. Almost certainly, you have been laying awake at night with ideas in your head.

Your dream Veterinary practice might be in its infancy – but we are here to help with the next step in your vet clinic design.

Here are a few essential factors to keep in mind when planning your vet clinic design.

1. Select a Veterinary Construction company to partner with.

Investigate and select a design and construction company with Veterinary experience.
These specialists will help navigate the intricate details of Vet Clinic design including:

 

Easy to use and clean materials for floor, walls, and fixtures

Provision for disposing of waste hygienically

A well-constructed holding area to prevent animals from getting injured or escape

 Animal areas to limit different animal interaction or to hold aggressive/anxious animals

Thought-out floor plan that has space for separate offices, examination rooms, waiting area, reception desk, pantry, kitchen area, etc.

Separate entrances for public and business areas of the clinic

Lockup facilities to safely keep medical equipment

Dedicated space for cold storage / refrigeration

 

It’s essential to take the time to view their previous jobs. Visit previous Fitouts that the Vet specialist has undertaken. This is a key to selecting the right partner for you. Most importantly pay particular attention to the Vet Clinic Design in the vet practices that you visit.

2.Latest Designs and Trends

Many vet clinic design teams are increasingly prioritizing sustainable design and safer spaces. We consider options like more indoor plants, locally sourced material and furniture, open spaces using glass that allows for natural light, easy to clean floors and cabinetry, and energy efficient considerations.


Acoustic panels between walls for noise cancellation, customized and comfortable seating arrangements, adding more glass in interiors, different colors and textures that add a pleasing aesthetic for the clients, are some of the new design ideas for Vet Clinic design. Ensure the vet specialist you choose is ahead of the game.


Most importantly each vet clinic design should consider animal comfort, staff workplace needs and customer requirements. This mix is essential to create a functional, peaceful, calm, vet clinic that will thrive.

3.Room for move

Vet Clinic design should also leave room for future change. Money invested into refurbished vet clinics or newly constructed Vet clinics should show return on investment. Some clinics might wish to add additional services like grooming or daycare at some future point – thinking ahead is most important in the design phase.

4.Builders suitably qualified

Ensure your veterinary specialist has an unlimited commercial builder’s license. This license is important to show that they are right for the job. Builders holding a builders license are answerable to the VBA. It’s peace of mind for the customer to know that they are suitably qualified.

Some vet builders use other companies’, builders’ licence. This is a recipe for disaster.


At Clinics By Design we understand what is important when it comes to creating veterinary practices. Our medical design team have a wealth of knowledge to share with you regarding intelligent design, clinical layout and what is required in a veterinary environment. Call us today

dental surgery design - Clinics by Design

Dental Surgery Designs

Dental Fitouts / By
dental surgery design - Clinics by Design

The success of a dental practice can be attributed to many things. Sometimes it’s the location, the dentist reputation, the tenure of existence or the educated ideas behind the dental surgery designs.

As dental practices slowly move away from the ‘converted residential house’ look, to a sleek renovated house with a new façade or even a complete practice re-build, the dental surgery designs is the new ‘hero’ in dental practice success.

Why does dental interior design matter?

A superior dental practice design will align both patient comfort and the functionality of the workspace for dentist and their staff.

 

The waiting room must capture a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere to help patients relax. A calm place creating a subtle mood using intelligent lighting, colour palette and sensory imagination.

 

The reception area needs to be a fully functional workspace. Requiring private and secure areas with well laid out desk areas for ease of access to all storage, printing and IT.

Things to consider when planning your dental surgery ideas

1. Using a specialist dental construction company to partner with is highly recommended.

Ensure your specialist can bring your dental surgery designs to life. Ensure you can work closely with the design team – ensure they understand your dream before the design phase.

 

Knowledge about OH&S, medical regulations, functional workspaces and building codes is critical. Ask if the dental specialist has an unlimited commercial builders license. A builders’ license certainly builds credibility for the specialist.

2. Designers that will listen to your needs and dreams

Ensure the designers are qualified. Ensure they understand the needs for a functional dental practice. The limited tight spaces require immaculate planning and design. Take the time to visit their previous jobs. This step is critical in understanding their workmanship and what they can deliver. Ensure the designers will support your ideas and offer new ideas to consider. In short – can they bring your dream practice to life?

3. Ensure on-site staff are qualified

Are the on-site staff are accountable? Are they employees or are they contractors? Can they Fitout a practice with limited disruption to live practices. Are they respectful and diligent in their work? From years of experience it’s the attention to detail that makes the finished product the best in the market.

4. Use of up-to date technology

When refurbishing or constructing a practice, it’s a perfect time to consider the technology you employ. Patients will feel confident if dentist are using the most up to date technology and dental furniture. Consider touch screens, ergonomic chairs, in chair portable x-ray machines and much more. Does your designer follow the market closely and invite sales representatives to their office to display all the latest ideas? Do they keep an eye on overseas markets as they are usually a little more advanced? Germany is renowned for its dental technology leadership.

 

All in all, dental surgery designs is now more important than ever as dentistry is increasingly becoming a competitive field. A great dental design will help separate your practice from the rest. It is certainly worth investing in an experienced and reputable dental design and construction specialist.

 

Please contact Clinics by Design to consider the advantages.

Helpful Tips To Save On Your Medical Clinic Fitout

Medical Fitouts / By

One of the most important elements of designing and managing your new medical centre design is working with your budget. It can be tempting to go all in to ensure you make a great impact on your clients, but there are many ways to impress while still saving on the costs.

Tips for Saving Money While Planning a Medical Clinic Fitout

Before you can even start thinking about the design of your space and how you want your clinic to look you will need to consider the following to ensure you get the best value from your money.

1. Know Your Requirement For The Space

When considering medical centre design, prioritise your needs within the space based on your specific business and size available to you.

 

Stick to the basics when planning – you don’t need every equipment option on the market. Make these choices around what you know is necessary for your current status and into the near future. Why pay too much money upfront when you can refurbish your space as required gradually?

2. Understand Functionality Within The Space

Good design does not only take into account the items within the space, but also how people will move through it. Planning for an appropriate number of staff and clients is crucial. Poor management of this can lead to headaches later down the line and can cost you a pretty penny should you need to redesign these areas.

3. Consider Location

A prime location can ensure the success of your business, not just for getting clients through the door but also to allow for expansion should it be appropriate. Failing to plan for how your location will affect business can lead to costly problems in the future. By ensuring you’re in an ideal location, you can save on having to relocate or refit.

4. Work With The Right People

The most key part to getting the best out of your budget is to work with the professionals. Ensuring that your builder is experienced in medical construction will save you from any unnecessary and expensive issues that can arise as a result of inexperience in this field.

 

At Clinics by Design we take pride in our knowledge and experience in the medical industry. With more than 30 years of experience, we know what to be on the look out for and how to handle any problems that can occur during the process of medical centre designs. By choosing to work with industry professionals you are potentially protecting yourself from any unforeseen costs and gaining advice while planning for your fit out.

 

These are only a few of the key ways to save during planning for your medical centre design. As you can see, working closely with a team experienced in this field and considering these pieces of advice can give you best chance at getting the most bang for your buck.

The Real Cost of a Medical Fitout

Medical Fitouts / By

A question we get asked a lot by potential clients is “What does a medical centre fit out actually cost?”. 

Unfortunately it isn’t a straight forward answer, and even though we can give ball park figures in order to help give you an idea of what you might be up for, the final cost of your medical centre fit out will depend on a few factors. 

1. Are you going from Residential to Commercial?

One popular misconception when it comes to medical centre fit outs and their cost is that it is an easy transition between residential and commercial.

 

There are actually many factors that come into play in order to gain council approval when opening a medical facility within a residential area and therefore it is definitely worth investing some time with a medical fit out specialist to go through the pros and cons of the area you may been looking to purchase in.

 

Not only can council reject any plans to turn a residential premises into a medical facility but there is also the factor of neighbours that can also put up a fight in order to prevent clinics opening next door.

2. How old is your building?

The age of your current tenancy, or building you are looking to purchase, can make a big difference when it comes to the amount of time and money you will need to invest into it.

 

For example we come across a lot of old clinics that are not up to date with the current body protection standards and therefore a complete overhaul of the electrical services will need to take place in order for a new clinic to open.

 

These kinds of things can be a surprise cost if it isn’t something you are aware of when looking at potential properties or clinics.

3.What kind of modifications would you like to do?

What you want to do with your medical centre fit out makes all the difference when it comes to final costings.

 

Take for example something as simple as your reception desk. Although this may seem like a straight forward item the cost difference between a laminate reception desk and a statement piece made from stone can be quite considerable.

 

It is very important to understand the cost differences in materials and finishes when going through this stage of your medical centre fit out design.

 

As a very rough estimate you can base costing on the below. (remember these are very much ballpark figures and the final costing will depend on the factors discussed in this blog)

$1,700 per m2 for a Warm Shell Fit Out (warm shell is a tenancy that has been fitted out with basic services such as ceilings, lighting, plumbing and HVAC)

 

$2,000 – $2,500 per m2 for a Complex/ Specialist fit out

 

$2,500 – $3,000 per m2 for a Cold Shell Fit Out (cold shell is a tenancy with no services)

 

Getting the right advice about the real costs of your medical centre fit out is imperative in order to reduce the risk of any nasty surprises down the track and nothing can compare to speaking directly with a medical fit out specialist.

Good Design in Dentistry

Dental Fitouts / By

The interior design aspect of you new dental fit out is an important one.

 

Not only does it create the first impression when your patients walk through the front door it also creates a feeling for that patient throughout their appointment.

We all want to feel comfortable during any medical appointment therefore it is important to create a space in which any overly nervous patients are made to feel at ease as quickly as possible.  There are certain things that can be done from a dental surgery design point of view in order to make your dental fit out give off a feeling of comfort from the moment a patient walks through he door. 

Accessible Amenities –

When you are talking about medical environments, easily accessible amenities are extremely important.  By positioning your amenities, or at least easy to read signage, within view of the waiting area is a great way to put patients at ease. There is something about knowing where the toilets are located that makes you feel that little bit more relaxed should you need to go.  Not only is this a benefit to patients but it also gives staff the opportunity to keep an eye on patients movements.  Safety for staff and other patients within your clinic is imperative and therefore it is a good idea to have your waiting area within view of reception staff to make sure no-one is wandering around the clinic. Not only does this stop certain patients getting disorientated if they get lost but also reduces the risk of anyone getting into areas they shouldn’t be such as dispensaries or staff rooms where personal belongings are kept. 

Intelligent Seating –

Waiting rooms can sometimes be the place you spend the bulk of your time during a medical appointment and therefore it is important to make your waiting room comfortable.  By providing something as simple as alternating chairs with arms/ no arms within your dental surgery design you are catering for a variety of people and ensuring everyone has a comfortable seat while they wait.  Spacing, as we know, has also become an issue with the current Covid-19 restrictions so steering away from shared sofas is advisable.  In saying that, we are still seeing a lot of bench seating which is not only a great space saving option but also has the ability to cater for the current regulations.  By placing stickers on the seats you do not want occupied you are providing the required spacing but you know you will always have that additional seating again once restrictions ease. 

Floor plans that Work –

Getting the floor plan within your dental surgery design right from the beginning is imperative to your clinic running smoothly.  The sizing of rooms and things such as placement of chairs in those rooms can heavily impact the efficiency of the day, not only for you but also for your nurses and administration staff.   Although it may seem like a good idea to fit as many rooms into your dental surgery design as possible, in order to take on additional dentists, you also need to take space into consideration and how much you and your nursing staff will really need in order to undertake their daily tasks comfortably.  Another important aspect of any dental surgery design is good hygiene and therefore certain rooms such as the sterilisation and lab need to be set out properly.  Clean and dirty areas need to be clearly marked and systems put into place to avoid any chance of cross contamination. This way you are keeping everyone safe.  Lighting or coloured vinyl strips that show green and red are a simple yet extremely effective way of defining clean and dirty areas. 

Colour Your Mood –

We speak about colour a lot in our blogs as it is a powerful thing. It can change moods, enhance emotions and create certain feelings.  Using colour creatively within your new dental surgery design is a simple way to create a sense of calm and comfort within your clinic and can be incorporated in so many ways.  Paint and flooring (vinyl, carpet etc) are the most common ways to incorporate some colour into your fit out but you can also get creative by incorporating colours into your furniture (upholstery), joinery (laminate) and signage.  The design of your dental surgery is one of the first things your patients will notice when they walk in the door and can be the thing that sets you apart from your competitors.
good job - Clinics by Design

Dental Providers – How do you Know you are Working with the Right One?

Dental Fitouts / By

When it comes to designing your new dental clinic you need to make sure you are finding the best dental design provider for you.

 

Before you appoint anyone to take on your project there are certain things you should make sure of.

good job - Clinics by Design

Do they have prior medical experience?

Prior medical fit out experience is extremely important to ensure your dental design is up to standard and within the current regulations.

 

Unfortunately there are plenty of commercial design and construct companies out there trying to get onto the medical design side of things but have absolutely no experience in medical fit outs.

 

The danger here is that commercial design and medical design are two completely different things. Sure, they both have the same foundations when it comes to building and a commercial company could build you are perfectly good tenancy from a structural perspective but the design and layout of your clinic is the difference between being being able to actually open it or not.

 

Major aspects of your dental design like DDA compliance throughout your clinic (from the amount of space required behind doors and types of disabled access that are required) have to be taken into consideration when the initial floor plan is being put together. 

 

Failing to miss something as simple as a stainless steel shelf in the disabled toilet can hold up your certificate of occupancy which means your business can not commence trading until everything is finalised.

Do they use trusted trades or are they tendering jobs out each time?

Although it can be beneficial to tender jobs from a pricing perspective the cheapest option isn’t always the best which is why it is better to be working with a design and construct company that has trusted trades.

 

When you have worked with the same person for a few years you are able to pick up on their working habits and what they might need in order to get jobs done not only properly but efficiently. We also find the lines of communication are also a lot more open when it comes to dealing with trades that you hold strong relationships with.

 

Just as you will continue to use the same suppliers if they offer good service sub contractors are no different and once you have one you do not want to let them go.

Do they have reliable testimonials / references from previous projects?

Testimonials and references can be just as important as a companies portfolio. Just because they can show you lovely photos of projects they have worked on before can they also provide a name and number so you can speak to the client direct in order to get their take on the whole experience?

 

Any credible design and construct company should be able to offer you a minimum of three references that you can speak to about their experience before signing anyone up.

 

As you can see it pays to appoint an experienced dental design company. Not only do you get the piece of mind that you are dealing with the best provider for you, but you are also ensuring that your fit out makes you the preferred dental provider for your patients both current and future.

Designing for Happy Pets and Happy Humans

Veterinary Fitouts / By

When it comes to veterinary clinic design and vet clinic care in general we know that happy pets and happy owners. 

 

For the most part most pet owners consider their pets their family and so a trip to the vet can be just as stressful on them as it can their faithful companion. 

Although the attention you give the animals in your care is paramount, the way you make those animals and their owners feel when they walk into your clinic is just as important. This is where the correct veterinary clinic design can make all the difference in helping your clinic stand out from the rest for all the right reasons. 

 

When it comes to atmosphere getting the design right can help to invoke feelings of calmness and tranquility in both animals and humans and so there are certain things that should be considered. 

 

Furniture 

Veterinary clinic furniture needs to be selected in a different way to the furniture that you would put into a general clinic. In a setting in which ‘spills’ (and occasional chewing) are commonplace you need to furnish in order to keep your space hygienic and comfortable for owners and their pets.

 

The last thing you want is a waiting room that is decorated with furniture that is torn, falling apart and showing rust due to a few ‘nervous accidents’ over the years. This kind of welcome can be very off-putting for many and even turn people away (which also means running the risk of poor, or worse, no word of mouth recommendations).

 

Separate Areas

When designing the floor plan of your new veterinary clinic think about things such as the amount fo space you have available to you and how this can be utilised in a way that will make everyone feel as comfortable and calm as possible. 

 

Something such as separating your waiting area into two sections in which cats can congregate on one side and dogs on the other can make a huge difference to your clinics atmosphere and also opens up the opportunity for targeted retail areas.

 

If you are a dog owner with a pup who has a tendency for chasing cats up trees you probably aren’t going to be too comfortable walking through a waiting area full of felines in order to have a look at the dog food, and nervous cat owners will want to avoid barking dogs at all costs. You are however, more likely to have a look around maybe make a purchase if everything is close at hand and easily accessible.

 

Good veterinary clinic design is about remembering that the animals coming into your practice are more than likely not feeling the best and therefore may act out of character when thrown into a stressful environment, therefore comfort is key.

 

Effective Working Spaces

It’s not only the animals that we need to take care of when creating your new clinic. Staff members also need to be taken into careful consideration when it comes to your veterinary clinic design. Making sure you are giving them the perfect working environment will ensure they can go about their daily tasks with minimal disruption creating a smooth workflow and increased efficiency.

 

We find the best way to ensure you are setting your clinic up properly for your staff members is to ask them.

 

Of course you are never going to keep everyone 100% happy and we aren’t expecting everyone to fall in love with the same paint colour you choose to use on the walls but it is important to make sure you have a general agreement between staff members when it comes to the big items that you, as the practice owner, may not use yourself.

 

Things such as joinery which determine the location of certain administration items or larger pieces of equipment need to be designed for the correct position in order to create a smooth work flow.

If printing records and receipts is a regular occurrence for your reception staff you will want to make sure the printer is close to them so they aren’t having to walk into another room every time they need to print something off.

 

Having happy staff is also a huge benefit for patients. Flustered looking staff can lead to flustered patients. Its a knock on effect, therefore by giving your staff members the right veterinary clinic design to work in from the beginning can go far when it comes to the atmosphere you are looking to create. 

How your patients and their humans feel when they walk into your clinic sets the mood for the entire appointment, therefore it is imperative you get your veterinary clinic design right from the get go.

Three Concepts for Good Medical Interior Design

Medical Fitouts / By

These days we are all focused on health.

 

With the current pandemic entering its third year we are seeing a major shift in people taking an interest in their own health and making sure they attend appointment and plan health checks they may have looked over in the past.

 

Keeping this in mind it is important that we include a feeling of good health within our medical clinic interior design as much as possible. At the end of the day there is nothing worse than walking into a medical environment that doesn’t look clean.

So how can we design for health?

Three things that will ensure a clean working environment include (but are certainly not limited to):

Separating Clean from Dirty

When it comes to your sterilisation area it is imperative there is no opportunity for error to take place when dealing with clean and dirty instruments.

 

Ensure your sterilisation room is clearly marked out with the clean and dirty areas.

One way that this can be incorporated into your medical clinic interior design is with lighting, by installing green and red strip lighting within your joinery you are giving clear instruction on which side of the sterilisation room if for dirty items and which is for clean.

Design for Easy Cleaning

When specifying materials within your clinic it is a good idea to make sure you are using finishes that are easy to clean. Given the type of environment and potential for ‘spills’ you want to make sure any accidents can be cleaned up quickly and easily.

 

Items such as upholstery, flooring, wall coverings and joinery can all be specified within your medical clinic interior design package with health grade finishes or installed in a way that can be replaced without causing too much of an interruption to the daily running of your clinic.

Create a Clean Environment

Simple things such as, de-cluttering, good hygiene management and the proper handling of hazardous materials can help to create a safe environment for everyone under your roof.

 

By ensuring you have clear pathways for both staff and patients you are reducing the risk of trips and falls, one of the most common injuries in the workplace.

 

By providing proper hygiene management in the way of access to hand sanitiser, signage in order to encourage social distancing and additional items such as sneeze guards on reception desks you are helping to protect both staff members and patients from the transmission of viruses.

 

Lastly, the proper handling of hazardous materials is imperative. Ensure you have based your medical clinic interior design around having locks on doors to not only rooms but also joinery that is for staff access only. Having any type of drug end up in the hands of the wrong person, whether it is an adult or child, can have terrible consequences.

Of course these three concepts aren’t the only things that need to be considered when designing your own healthy medical clinic but it a good place to start.

The Medical Fitout Process

Medical Fitouts / By

A good medical fit out incorporates a lot of different elements in order to suit each clinics needs and therefore it is important to go through the correct design process for each element on your clinic. 

1.Choosing the Right Location

Getting your location right from the beginning is extremely important.

Just as there are certain things around your location that are sure to help your business grow there are others that may have a negative impact on your clinic and therefore you will want to stay away from these things if possible.

 

Things such as ample available parking, public transport and shared amenities are things that can be a huge benefit to your clinic whereas competitors who already have a strong presence within the community will not benefit you at all (especially if you are starting from scratch and need to get your foot in door with new patients).

2.Getting to Know You

Good branding is an important part of any medical fit out, and seeing as it is one of the first things that current and potential patients see you need to make sure you are sending the right message to the clientele you wish to attract.

 

Through good branding you can illustrate the warm, comforting environment you offer inside your clinic and therefore draw patients in other than having them walk past without even noticing you, or worse, walking in the opposite direction.

3.A Warm Welcome

Make sure your entry, reception and waiting areas are warm and welcoming.

For certain patients waiting can sometimes be just as stressful as the appointment itself, therefore it is important to try and make everyone feel as comfortable as possible from the moment they walk in the door.

 

Utilising ‘warm’ materials such as timber and soft furnishings can evoke a sense of comfort and additions like music and artwork can provide welcome distractions.

 

Other items you may want to consider, depending on the type of clinic you are running, is informative information on the services you provide. You may find that having some reading material on hand could help patients in understanding the procedure(s) they are about to undertake giving them some sort of comfort.

 

Phone/ laptop charging stations can also be a welcome comfort to some patients by enabling them to charge their phone or do some work while they wait. Although it may seem like a small luxury to you as a business owner, it can make a big difference to their visit.

 

These little things are a simple way of bringing a lot of comfort into your medical fit out and will not go unnoticed.

4.Helping Everyone Find Their Way

When a patient or patient’s family member turns up to your clinic for the first time the last thing they want to do is have to worry about finding someone in order to ask directions.

 

By placing your reception desk as close to the entrance of your clinic as possible you are already giving new patients a direct go-to point when they walk in.

 

As well as this you want to make sure any signage you have on display is clear and simple. Although it might seem like a good idea to have signs pointing in every direction this can actually cause more confusion for some people.

 

Simple, clear signage is a great start to making any new patient feel at ease and comfortable from the moment they walk through your door.

5.Colour Selection

Choosing the right colours within your medical fit out can make a big impact. Shades of blue and green are highly recommended in a medical environment as they can create a sense of calm, whereas bold colours such as reds and oranges can sometimes create a sense of anxiety, the opposite feeling you are trying to invoke within patients.

 

Areas such as waiting rooms, consultation rooms and even staff areas can benefit in the addition of some extra colour in order to create some sense of relaxation in what can be a generally hectic atmosphere.

6.Furniture

Furniture selection within your clinic is more important than you may initially think.

 

The type of patients you have coming to your clinic can play a big role in the seating options you will need to consider not only for your waiting areas but consultation rooms also.

 

For example if your patients are more or less all injured in some way or the majority of patients you have coming in are elderly you might want to consider having arms on all of your waiting and visitor chairs in order to make it easier for them to stand up once they have been sitting for awhile, or if you have a mix of patients coming in and out you will want to provide a mix of seating options. 

 

Chair bases and the way your chairs are upholstered are also an important part of your furniture selection especially if in an environment in which patients could potentially start acting difficult or irrational during their wait and/or appointment.

 

The last thing we want is for any seating to be used as a weapon, therefore by selecting sled bases as opposed to 4-leg bases and upholstery that can not be unpicked in order to gain access to staples or nails is extremely important for the safety of your staff and other waiting patients.

7.Drop-Off and Parking

Parking can be stressful for some people, especially if it is the first time they are visiting a certain place or if they have an injury that doesn’t allow them to walk long distances, therefore the more adequate parking available to patients the better.

 

Although we know it isn’t always possible to have a huge carpark on site there are other ways to obtain additional parking in the way of location.

 

Being close by to public parking that patients can utilise is a huge benefit and will give patients the piece of mind that when they come to your clinic they will not be spending half an hour trying to find a car spot, thus reducing anxiety in a time that can already be quite stressful.

 

Another option is to consider locations that are in close proximity to public transport. Again, this gives patients one less thing to worry about if they can catch a train or bus to your door this can be a much better option for some.

8.Healthy Building

Medical environments are a place of healing and so it is only fair that the building itself should promote and to a point, be healthy itself.

 

Good strategies for a healthy building include clean and filtered air, the use of Red List-free materials, outdoor access where possible and live plants throughout waiting and reception areas.

 

If you want to go a step further, elements such as excess heat, rain and wind can also be captured, stored and used within your facility.

9.Personalisation

Giving your patients the opportunity to customise their visit even in the smallest way can make a huge impact on their experience with your clinic.

 

Depending on the type of services you have on offer you could provide a selection of music options that your patient can listen to while they are having a treatment done or go as far as having virtual skylights installed in your ceilings above treatment beds in which patients can choose the view they are looking up at while having a procedure.

10.Dignified Discharge

Allowing patients to leave your building in a dignified manner is imperative in making them feel comfortable.

 

If you are offering services in which patients might feel self conscious about how they look once they have had a treatment done, to their face for example, it can really pay to have a back exit that can be utilised in order for patients to get from the treatment room to their car without having to walk through a crowded waiting area.

 

Not only will this benefit the patient that has just had the treatment done, it can also help with reducing anxiety in waiting patients.

 

As you can see, with the right team helping you through the process it is easy to incorporate the essential elements into your medical fit out.