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How Social Distancing Has Impacted Today’s Design

Design / By

Who would have thought back at the beginning of 2020 that we were soon to be thrown into a global pandemic.

Our worlds have definitely been thrown upside down and things that were completely foreign to most of us (especially here in Australia) such as wearing masks to the supermarket (and even while exercising outside) and social distancing have become a little too familiar and part of our daily routine. As we hear ourselves mutter keys, wallet, phone, mask each time we walk out the front door it is clear this is life for the time being.

So how has this pandemic changed the way we design for medical environments?

Design within the medical industry, especially within clinical waiting rooms, has definitely changed in the last 18 months. There was a time when we would see clinics trying to fit in as many waiting room chairs as possible but now with the introduction of mandatory social distancing the design of these spaces need to evolve to suit our new way of life.

Whether you have a small general practice, or are running a busy hospital, social distancing in order to reduce the spread of infection is going to be one of your main priorities.

Not only does social distancing work but it brings a sense of security and piece of mind when a patient walks into your clinic waiting room or hospital foyer to see that proper precautions have been put in place in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.

There are a number of ways you can ensure social distancing and good hygiene is happening within your clinic.

Signage – Clear signage can play a bigger role when it comes to social distancing than you might think.

When patients walk into your clinic’s waiting room the first thing they will instinctively do is head for the first reception desk they see. In a smaller clinic environment this is absolutely fine (and encouraged), but if you have multiple areas (all with their own reception) clear signage can reduce the risk of unnecessary congestion in the one area.

Screens –  One of your main priorities when it comes to your clinic’s waiting room is the health and safety of your staff. As your receptionists are dealing with patients face to face for up to 8 hours a day the installation of sneeze guards can provide a protective barrier, creating peace of mind for both staff and patients.

Furniture – The days of sitting on a couch next to another patient are a thing of the past (and I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing!).

These days people want to feel comfortable sitting down in the waiting room with space between them and the next person.

Of course this means less patients per area but it also means you can get creative with some bigger furniture pieces to really give your reception/ clinic waiting room that special feel.

Medical Grade Upholstery – Although it may cost a bit more to have your furniture upholstered in medical grade fabric and/or vinyl it is well worth the investment.

Not only are you safe-guarding your staff and patients from the transmission of germs that may end up on your clinic’s waiting room seating but you are also purchasing a durable material for your furniture that will last much longer than your run of the mill fabrics.

Outdoor Space – Utilising unused outdoor spaces can make a huge difference to both staff and patients who are able to move around the facility.

Rooms with balconies where possible can make a huge difference in someones stay, especially if they are restricted to one room.

Landscape gardening in spaces that otherwise don’t get much use can also be beneficial to the recovery of patients by giving them somewhere to go for a walk.

When it comes to clinic and waiting room design not only do we need to be thinking about the current situation but what could potentially come in the future and the design we use to today needs to have the ability to adapt.

How Fit Outs Can Improve Atmosphere

Fitout / By

A calming atmosphere is crucial when it comes to any medical clinic or Melbourne fit out. In a busy environment where you will receive a range of emotions from different patients it is important that you start off each patients experience in the most positive way possible.

 

There are a few things that you can include in your fit out to help create a calming environment, not only for your patients but for you and your staff members too. 

 

It doesn’t matter whether your fit out is taking place in the middle of the Melbourne  or Sydney CBD or country South Australia, when it comes to medical a warm welcome is always encouraged. 

Whats that sound?

Although it may seem like quiet = calm it can also create an awkward atmosphere for some patients.

 

Depending on the type of clinic you are running some patients may not like the feeling of the whole waiting room being able to hear their conversation with reception staff.

 

By including some kind of sound into your waiting area, whether it is soft music or even some relaxing soundscapes, not only can these distract away from conversations reception staff are having with patients either in person or on the phone but it can also help to alleviate patients of stress.

Keep the Mind Clear –

Clutter can cause anxiety, I don’t know about you but I can’t stand having an untidy kitchen bench. I feel as though I can’t focus properly and there is that constant niggling in the back of your head that there is another job to do.

 

The same sort of overwhelming feeling can happen within patients if you have a cluttered waiting area.

 

Clutter can come in many different forms. Whether it is through the use of too many colours and patterns in your design, clashing artwork and loud noises such as music or the television or just too many items in a small space.

By designing your space for organisation not only will it help staff members to stay efficient but will also bring another dimension of calm to patients that might not be obvious to the eye but is definitely there!

Colour Selection –

While we are on the topic of keeping the mind clear colour choice is a huge factor when it comes to mental stimulation.

 

Bright, stimulating colours such as reds and oranges can be off-putting for some patients and make certain people feel overwhelmed whereas neutral tones such as light blues and greens are seen as calming colours and can alleviate any stress they may already be feeling.

Go Green –

There is nothing new about going green but it is something that often gets overlooked when designing a clinic. Plants are a simple and cost effective addition to any waiting area, not only does it give the welcoming look of bringing the outdoors in but it has been proven that live plants have many benefits to both patients and staff members.

 

Make sure you do your research on which plants are best for indoor use and ensure you have a schedule in place to make sure they are being taken care of properly. There is nothing worse than walking into a waiting room with brown plants that have been left to wither away in the corner, you don’t want patients to take this as a reflection of the services you are going to provide to them.

 

If plant care isn’t your thing and your busy staff members don’t have time to make sure they are watered and taken care of that isn’t a problem! There are plenty of indoor plant hire companies out there that not only supply and install the plants for you but also provide ongoing maintenance services. 

 

The atmosphere you create for your patients is the thing that will keep them coming back and refer your clinic onto others.

 

Whether your fit out is in the middle of the busy Melbourne CBD or in a more rural setting your patients deserve to feel safe and comfortable with a warm welcome.

 

By implementing even two or three of the above into your design you are showing that you care about your staff members and patients wellbeing from the moment they walk in the door. Even though it might not be completely in your face an obvious, all these little things can make a huge difference to the experience everyone has within your clinic.

Design for Your Dental Surgery

Dental Fitouts / By

Whether you are looking to give your existing dental surgery a bit of a facelift or take on a whole new build the internal and external aspects are a crucial part of your dental surgery design.

Not only do you want something that is visually appealing to you (after all it is your clinic and you want to make sure you love it) but it also has to attract the type of patient you are looking to target.

There are a couple of ways to look at how you approach your dental surgery design.

Targeted Demographic Design:

If you are a specialist who caters for a certain type of demographic you will want to base your dental surgery design around the things that attract this type of person.

 

Say you cater mainly to children, you will want to create a welcoming, enjoyable atmosphere for them not only during their appointment but also while they wait.

 

Luckily it is easy to make your dental surgery design appealing to kids! Colour is the main factor in how people feel when they come into a clinic. They say blues and greens can be soothing colours whereas reds and oranges can come across as aggressive and may change someones mood for the worse. When it comes to a children’s medical environment we think the more colour the better.

And this can be achieved in many ways. Consider coloured furniture, there are many coloured vinyls (upholstery) and polypropylene shells on the market that can either represent your brand colours or can be mixed and matched in order to create a rainbow of seating.

 

Vinyl flooring is also available in some really amazing colours and patterns and just like the seating can be installed in a way that reflects your surgeries’ branding. Patterns can also be cut into the vinyl which can create an interesting way finding system that kids will enjoy using. Think coloured pathways that lead kids to treatment rooms.

 

You could also include different themes for each treatment room with the use of vinyl decals, flooring and artwork such jungle, under the sea, princess etc. This kind of thing brings a bit of fun to what could otherwise be an uneasy appointment.

 

Your waiting room is just as important as your treatment area and is the perfect place to create calm before an appointment.

 

Although loose toys are no longer recommended in waiting rooms, as it promotes the spread of germs, there are other ways you can make your waiting room entertaining while staying safe.

 

Consider an iPad station that can be wiped down after each use. These iPads can be loaded up with appropriate games and videos to keep any bored or anxious patients distracted while they wait. For additional social distancing measures clear perspex screens can be installed in between iPad ‘stations’. Not only will this stop the spread of any germs but it also gives parents some extra piece of mind.   

Inter-Generational Design:

While a lot of surgeries cater for certain demographics many cater for anyone and everyone. So how do you incorporate elements that will suit everybody into your dental surgery design?

 

When we think of waiting rooms the first thing we need to make sure we have is comfort.

Unfortunately a trip to the dentist isn’t usually seen as a treat and therefore making patients feel as comfortable as possible from the moment they walk in the door is crucial.

 

Children’s areas can be beneficial not only to patients that have children with them but also for other waiting patients. An area of the waiting room that can be sectioned off with screening so parents can still see their children but the acoustic properties of the screen block some noise can be all it takes to create a comfortable space for every patient waiting.

 

Seating is another important part of your waiting room, especially when treating a range of different people.

By giving the option of arms and no arms on chairs you are showing you want everyone to be comfortable, whether they need additional space on their seat or an extra bit of help to stand.

 

Welcome distractions such as a TV, music or even beautiful artwork can also make a big difference in a waiting room and can be incorporated into your dental surgery design easily.

 

Neutral music or even advertising for additional services can break the silence in an otherwise quiet waiting area while educating your patients about some services they might not even know you have on offer.

 

Not only are you catering for waiting patients but also for patients that have just come out of treatment. There is nothing worse than coming out after a dentists appointment, walking into a silent waiting room full of people and feeling like everyone is listening you try to mumble arrangements for your next booking through a half numb mouth!

 

Once in the treatment room it is important that your patients continue to feel as comfortable as possible. It can be quite daunting walking into a sterile looking room full of instruments so think about which elements you can incorporate into your dental surgery design that might help put people at ease. Items such as TVs on the roof which can be turned onto your patients preferred channel or movies for kids can be a welcome distraction. 

 

As you can see it is simple to incorporate good design into your dental space.

How Hospital Construction Specialists Are the Key to a Good Aesthetic

Medical Fitouts / By

There are many aspects when it comes to the design of your hospital construction that can make a huge difference to both patients and staff and this is where it is important that the team you are appointing to help with your design have the right amount of experience with medical design and construction.

 

Not only do you want someone with extensive experience in this area you also need someone that is familiar with all of the current medial standards in order to make sure your medical design complies.

 

When we think about the differences between hospitals and general practices the main thing that comes to mind is that a hospital setting is for more critical cases than a GPs office. Therefore, the design of a hospital will differ from the design of a general clinic and the expertise of a medical fit out specialist can bring some ideas to the forefront that you may not have even thought of yourself.

 

One of the main differences we need to consider is the time of day patients will be coming to visit.

 

While a medical clinic will generally work within normal hours during the day a hospital is open 24 hours so it is imperative the afterhours aesthetics are just as welcoming as the aesthetics during the day.

 

The most effective way of making patients feel comfortable is through clear signage, especially when parking their car. Whether they are a patient themselves or a friend/ family member either coming to visit or to pick a patient up there is nothing worse than not knowing where you are meant to go and spending 20 minutes looking for a car spot.

 

If possible, incorporating valet parking into your hospital construction design is a fantastic idea. It can ease stress and anxiety for someone who is trying to quickly navigate a car park either during the day when it is busy or at night when it is dark.

 

Once your patients or friends/ family members are in the hospital you want to make include as many calming elements as possible.

 

It’s no secret that hospitals can cause a sudden feeling of anxiety when you walk through the doors. Whether you are a patient who is about to go through a procedure or a friend/ family member who is concerned about a patient it helps to create a sense of calm and comfort when they enter the building.

So how can you incorporate calm into your hospital construction?

Small things can make a big impact on people and it is quite simple to design for comfort and calm in your design. Consider the following items for inclusion in your waiting area:


Natural light can make a big difference in your waiting room’s atmosphere. Make sure the utilisation of windows and skylights are included where possible in your hospital construction plans

Phone/ laptop charging stations can be a benefit to anyone who has to wait for an extended period of time or would like to get some work done before their appointment.

Comfortable furniture with the option of arms and no arms to suit everyone

Music and artwork can be a welcome distraction and give waiting patients something to look at while they wait

Refresh station offering self-serve filtered water

Clear signage to amenities


As you can see it is quite simple to create a warm and calming environment through your hospital construction design and it is extremely beneficial to have an experienced medical/ hospital construction specialist on board to help bring your vision to life.

5 Concepts for Medical Centre Design

Medical Fitouts / By

When it comes to smart medical centre design there are many things that can contribute in creating the perfect environment, not only for your patients, but also for anyone that may be accompanying your patients, your staff and of course you.

 

We talk about comfort a lot in our blogs simply because it is so important in any medical environment and needs to be taken into very careful consideration in any medical centre design. 

 

Medical environments can be stressful places so taking the time to make sure your patients, their families and your staff members are comfortable can pay off in the long run. 

 

Envisage happy staff working seamlessly due to good layout and relaxed patients made to feel this way from the moment they walk in your front door thanks to a warm and inviting  welcome. Design plays a huge part in this. 

 

Of course there are endless ways to create your perfect clinic, but here are our 5 concepts that are a must-do in any medical centre design. 

Design for Comfort

Comfortable seating to suit different bodies and age groups as well as accessible amenities are just a given in any medical centre design.

 

Some people may not like asking where toilets are, or for a drink of water while they wait so by having these things easily accessible with the use of clear signage to amenities and refresh stations (filtered water) in the waiting area you are creating one less stress during their visit.

 

Safety is also a form of comfort for staff members so planning your layout to have things such as the amenities in sight of the reception desk are key.

 

This way staff members aren’t trying to keep eyes on patients who could potentially be roaming the halls and make their way into a consultation or treatment room unsupervised.

Design for your Staff

In order for staff to work seamlessly (well as seamlessly as possible in a busy environment) it is essential you have their work areas set up properly.

 

We encourage all clients who are setting up a new medical clinic to involve their staff members when it comes to the layout and design of certain areas. Although you may think the printer looks better in a certain spot of the reception desk it could be totally unworkable for someone trying to help numerous people during busy times.

 

Take the time to show staff your proposed plans and ask for input. Of course it is impossible to keep everyone happy and there will most likely be someone that doesn’t like the colour of the chairs being used in the kitchen but for layout purposes it can not only make a huge difference but also shows your staff you are willing to listen to what it is they need in order to make their job easier.

Design for Compliance

DDA compliance (Disability Discrimination Act) ensures equal access and opportunity within your clinic for anyone with a disability and is an imperative part of any medical centre design.

 

Not only do you need to ensure you are designing for easy access and movement for patients but also for staff members. Access for the disabled should not stop anyone from doing a job they are completely capable of doing and therefore with the addition of ramps, disabled amenities and lift access where required you are ensuring access for everyone.

Design for the Environment

Going green isn’t anything new in the medical or commercial construction world but it doesn’t mean it isn’t essential.

 

There are plenty of ways you can build green, such as using insulation and utilising natural light in order to cut down on electricity, selecting environmentally sustainable fabrics and flooring (there are a range of amazing suppliers out there doing incredible things for the environment) just to name a few.

 

Another option when it comes to designing your new medical clinic from scratch is using Passive House Design. You can find all the information you need in our previous blog ‘Have you Heard of Passive House Design?’ (https://clinicsbydesign.com.au/blog/have-you-heard-of-passive-house-design/) or by calling us to speak to our in-house passive house specialist Kostas Stefanidis

Design for Tomorrow

These days it seems like technology is constantly changing so it important to set your space up with the ability to accommodate any changes you might encounter in the future.

 

Whether it is administration software or treatment room  equipment it is a smart move to be ready.

 

This can be done through electrical works, joinery and even creating additional storage spaces that can easily be converted into consultation rooms down the track if space permits.

 

Of course there are more than 5 concepts when it comes to good medical centre design but these are a fantastic starting point and great way to start the conversation with your design and construct company to ensure you are on track to get the perfect practice for you, your staff and patients.

Keeping Everyone Comfy

Design / By


A comfortable design is imperative in any medical environment, including your new veterinary practice. 

Vet clinics can be stressful places, not only for animals but also for owners, so it is extremely important to try and create a warm and welcoming space for everyone walking through your front door. 

Animal hospital/ clinic furniture has certain differences to general medical furniture. In a place where ‘spills’ are commonplace you need to furnish in order to keep your space hygienic and comfortable for owners and their pets.

No-one wants to walk into a veterinary waiting room that is loud, smelly and decorated with chairs showing rust due to a few ‘nervous wee’s’ over the years. This kind of welcome can be very off-putting and turn people away which also means running the risk of no word of mouth recommendations. 

How your patients and their humans feel when they walk into your clinic sets the mood for the entire appointment. If someone feels uncomfortable and has to wait for an extended period of time to be attended to their mood might be very different if they were to walk into a warm, welcoming space where staff members are on hand to help. 

If you have a pet of your own you will know they are more like family members than pets. And because of this owners want to see a clean clinic in which they feel their pet is going to get the best care possible. 

Your waiting area and animal hospital/ clinic furniture should be designed not only for sick or injured pets but also for their owners.

Think about things such as the floorplan of your waiting area and how you can utilise the space you have in order to create a calming environment. 

Something such as separating this area into two sections where 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 you probably aren’t going to be comfortable walking through a group of cats with your pup in order to have a look at the dog food but are more likely to browse if it is right next to you and easily accessible.

Not only do you want the animals to be comfortable but it is also important to make their humans comfortable by providing privacy. 

Some people may not like filling out personal information or making payments right in front of everyone else waiting at reception after an appointment, therefore it is a good idea to incorporate semi-private areas into your animal hospital/ clinic furniture and/or at your reception desk where possible. It is also a good idea to make sure these areas are a decent distance away from the busiest parts of your reception counter. 

A feeling of privacy can be achieved easily with smart joinery design and can incorporated into your reception desk neatly. 

Staff members also need to be taken into careful consideration when it comes to comfort. 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. 

Happy staff is also extremely important for patients. Flustered looking staff can lead to flustered patients. Its a knock on effect, therefore by giving your staff members the right animal hospital/ clinic furniture from the beginning  will go far when it comes to creating the calm and inviting environment you want for your veterinary clinic. 

What to Look for When Choosing Your Builder

Medical Fitouts / By

Going out on your own can be a daunting task so it is extremely important you make sure you are working with the right people.

 

When it comes to construction fit out companies you need someone you can trust, someone who will point you in the right direction and someone who is familiar with the issues that can arise during any medical construction.

 

The most important thing to remember when you are selecting the construction fit out company you would like to appoint is that commercial construction and medical construction are two very different things. Just because someone is a builder and has years of experience within the construction industry it doesn’t mean that they can construct a medical facility to standard.

 

When it comes to medical construction and design there are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy.

Below are just a couple of requirements a residential or commercial builder may not be aware of, which results in additional and unexpected costs and delays for your business.

DDA Compliance

DDA Compliance (Disability Discrimination Act) is a big factor in any commercial setting and ensures equal access and opportunity within your clinic for anyone with a disability.

 

Not only does this go for patients but also your staff members. Access for the disabled should not stop anyone from doing a job they are completely capable of and therefore with the required addition of ramps, disabled amenities and lift access where required you are ensuring access for everyone.

Parking

Parking requirements for medical facilities differ from commercial properties, something a medical construction fit out company will be well aware of and therefore be able to assist you when looking for a new property.

 

In a nut shell, as per the current Victorian Planning Provisions; you need to provide:

 

  • 5 parking spaces for the first person providing health services, plus
  • 3 parking spaces for every other person providing health services

Under the Building Code of Australia 9BCA), some of the required number of car parking spaces must be allocated as disabled car parking, which much be in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2890.6-2009 (Disabled) and the BCA.

Because councils will vary with their requirements and whether they require any additional  items to be ticked off, depending on where you are located, having an experienced medical construction fit out company on your side will really navigate this sometimes tricky process.

 

Body Protection

Two questions we are regularly asked by clients when quoting are ‘What is body protection?’ and “Do we have to include it?’.

 

So what is a body protected area? Basically it means every power point in your clinic is protected by a safety switch which is imperative in any area in which patients are being treated with equipment that is plugged in.

 

Body protection safety switches are a lot more sensitive to earth leakage currants than those on a residential or commercial power point therefore protecting you, your staff and your patients from any chance of an electrical shock while treatment is taking place.

 

Not only are new tenancies effected with the requirement of body protection. If you have an older tenancy that needs any electrical upgrades done the entire tenancy will have to be upgraded to include body protection.

 

So to answer the question ‘Do we have to include it?’ the answer is yes. Body protection is a requirement under the Standard AS/NZS 3003.2011 and therefore compulsory for any new medical or dental construction or refurbishment.

 

Keep in mind that ‘new’ electrical works can be something as small as the addition of one new powerpoint which will trigger the entire tenancy to be upgraded therefore it is important you are working with a medical construction fit out company that knows the requirements and will have these costs covered in their quote.

 

As you can see, something as small as adding a powerpoint to your already functioning medical centre can trigger unexpected costs as well as taking the risk of running your clinic not to standard.

 

By appointing an experienced medical construction fit out company you can rest assured all requirements will be taken into consideration from the very beginning therefore reducing the risk of any unexpected costs during your construction or fit out.

Have you Heard of Passive House Design?

Design / By

Clinics by Design are proud to be the first Australian company to provide Passive House design and construction services for the Healthcare industry.

So what is Passive House design and how can it benefit you?

The concept of Passive House design originated in Europe around 30 years ago and is based around the idea that adopting a few key design principals can enable the construction of buildings, both residential and commercial, with healthy and dry indoor spaces that require little to no heating or cooling.

Passive House design has been adapted to suit different climates, which is perfect for Australia. In a country where our heating and cooling requirements change from state to state, due to severe differences in temperature depending on where you are, it is helpful to have the one system that can adapt and function in all climates.

The way Passive House design in achieved to its full potential is by following the five principals of Passive house:

1. Airtightness – This is the first principal used to achieve energy efficiency and involves the construction of a highly insulated floor slab, windows, exterior walls and roof. Although this can be seen as a challenge within the Australian medical environment in which we have automatic doors and promote open windows where possible in order to create a better atmosphere for patients, it doesn’t mean your clinic will be constructed as an air tight box. The difference is that when these windows and doors are closed there is absolutely no gap for cold or warm air to escape, therefore maintaining an ambient and comfortable environment.

2.Thermal Insulation – Proper thermal insulation is essential in Passive House design. Not only does thick and continuous insulation provide the crucial thermal separation between the heated or cooled inside environment and the outdoors but it also improves thermal comfort by reducing the risk of condensation.

3.Thermal Bridge Free Construction – As mentioned above thermal insulation is only beneficial if it is continuous. Continuous insulation means keeping unnecessary penetrations through the insulation to a minimum. Where penetrations are unavoidable low or non-conducting materials should be used. This avoids thermal bridges in which heat can escape and reduces the risk of condensation.

4.Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery – or MVHR is the process of improving indoor air quality without having to open windows or doors in order to get fresh air into the building. This doesn’t mean windows and doors can’t be opened, it means they don’t NEED to be opened to ensure your clinic has fresh air quality. This is something that can be beneficial within environments that are dealing with skin or more serious medical conditions and therefore want to keep the building free from outdoor pollutants where possible. Not only do MVHR systems help to clean the air from pollution and contribute in regulating humidity they also recover warm and cool air which would otherwise go to waste.

5.High Performance Windows – The correct windows play a huge role in Passive House design. By installing airtight, double or triple glazed windows throughout your clinic it will allow for solar radiation to warm up the interiors in winter but minimise the radiation in summer.

Passive House design offers a realistic, cost effective solution for an economical building. It provides a high level of comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling.

In an age where energy prices are steadily growing and global warming is a considerable issue Passive House design is the logical way forward in Australian healthcare.

Buildings that implement the Passive House design principals use approximately 80% less energy than buildings of equivalent size while providing superior air quality and comfort, two extremely important factors in any healthcare setting.

If you would like to learn more about Passive House design and how it can benefit your next medical construction additional information can be found at www.nzeb.com.au or talk to our in-house Passive House Designer Kostas Stefanidis.

First Impressions Last

Veterinary Fitouts / By

Making a good first impression in any medical environment is important. You need your patients to feel like they are in a safe environment straight away in the hope it will ease some of their tension.

 

Understandably pet owners can get just as nervous about a trip to the vet as our furry (or winged or scaly) friends so as a veterinary practice owner it is definitely worth taking the time to make sure you are creating a warm and welcoming environment from the moment your patients and their owners walk through your doors.

 

Considering a ‘Fear Free’ environment when you take on a new veterinary practice construction can totally change the experience both pets and owners have when they visit your clinic.

 

The fear that people and pets feel can start as early as the front door. Whether is it the fear of the unknown or knowing what their pet could potentially have to go through during a visit can cause a lot of stress which is why it is important you make sure your waiting area is set out to accommodate everyone in the most comfortable manner possible.

 

If space permits it is advisable that you have separate waiting areas for cats and dogs. By doing this you are reducing the risk of anxiety between animals and therefore reducing the anxiety between owners as well.

 

These areas can be made clearly identifiable with the use of imagery and product placement so owners know exactly which space to head to while they wait therefore avoiding any confusion in someone that may already be feeling a bit out of sorts.

Artwork can also have a positive impact on people as a welcome visual distraction while they wait for their pet’s appointment.

 

When it comes to joinery it is definitely helpful to use materials that can be cleaned efficiently as well as thoroughly.

Vinyl is a great option when it comes to the patient side of your reception desk or other loose pieces of joinery placed around the waiting area (i.e. refresh stations) where certain spills are common.

 

The types of cleaning products you use can also help in a big way to create a fear free environment. As a vet you would know all about nose blindness in dogs and how important it is to use odour neutral cleaning products in order to reduce the risk of dogs becoming confused in their surrounds, in turn causing unnecessary anxiety.

 

With the use of odour free disinfectants you are building the stepping stones to create an environment that is a welcoming and pleasant place for dogs to visit.

 

Now, not only do you need to look after your patients and their pets but you also need to make sure your veterinary practice construction is suitable for your staff members. By creating an efficient environment as opposed to something that looks great but is not practical for their daily tasks you are showing care for their wellbeing too.

 

The best way to make sure you are including the items that are most important to your staff members within your veterinary practice construction is to speak to them.

 

Show them a rough floor plan and ask for input on joinery and accessibility to certain parts of the clinic. What might not seem like a big deal to you could make another staff member’s day much easier.

 

By building your new veterinary practice construction around the comfort and wellbeing of not only your patients (and their humans) but also your staff you are creating a place people want to be in and will be happy to come back to time and time again.

 

You would be surprised how much that first impression can impact someone’s first visit so it is imperative you take the steps into getting this right.

The Ins and Outs of Dental Practice Renovations

Dental Fitouts / By

The decision to open up your own dental practice or renovate your existing clinic can be an extremely exciting one.

 

But it can also be quite a daunting one, so it is important to make sure you do some research into the items that need to be considered very carefully before appointing the team that will make your vision come to life.

1. Do Your Homework –

When it comes to dental clinic design the area you are located in and the type of patients you already have or want to attract play a huge role in how your clinic should look. If you are attracting young families you may want to give you clinic a fun, colourful look and set up a children’s area with additional acoustics in order to reduce noise for other patients, whereas if you are catering for mainly executive types you may want to give your practice a sleeker look along with some additional extras such as charging stations in which they can plug in their phones and laptops in order to work while they wait for their appointment.

2. Secure Financing –

Although you will not have a hard time finding a bank to lend to you not all banks are familiar with the actual costs and funding allocation required for a start-up practice and therefore it is important that you become familiar with a few different medical finance companies and who will work best for you.

3. Build a Strong Network

– Although it may feel risky to hand everything over to the one company when it comes to organising your dental practice renovation or construction we highly recommend the services of an experienced medical design and construct company. Not only do they have experience within the medical field, which is extremely important in order to really understand the requirements needed to ensure your practice is built to standard, they will also have existing relationships with subcontractors meaning you do not have to deal with each separate trade yourself.

4. Have a Business Plan

– A detailed business plan is the best way to show a complete understanding of the environment you will be opening your dental practice in. Not only is this beneficial when it comes to financing it is also a good idea to have everything written down so you know exactly what needs to be done in order to get your vision off the ground. Take a look at our previous blog ‘Planning Makes Perfect’ to see what should be included in your business plan.

5. Ask Around

– The best way to make sure you are going down the right path with your dental practice renovation is to speak to other practitioners. This gives you the opportunity to hear the good and bad stories that can go along with a refurbishment or new clinic construction and gain valuable advice on what they would have done differently if given the opportunity to do it all over again. Word of mouth is also good when it comes to appointing your design and construct company. Past clients and medical finance companies are usually the safest and most reliable option when it comes to medical construction.

 

Cosmetically it is very simple to give your dental practice the update it needs or set your brand new clinic apart from the rest but without the pivotal stepping stones above you will not have the structure to keep your business running successfully.

 

We understand that medical practitioners don’t like downtime therefore having as much information under your belt from the very first meeting with your preferred design and Construct Company is imperative.

 

With your clear plan and our knowledge and experience we can help get the ball rolling quickly in order to turn your dental practice dream into a reality.