National Treatment Centre – Fife Orthopedics

NHS (National Health Service) Fife, UK set out to create a Centre of Excellence for orthopedics on its Victoria Hospital campus that would improve wait times and efficiency while providing an enhanced patient and staff experience. Set within a live hospital site, the National Treatment Centre is designed to provide out-patient and in-patient services for planned orthopedic care in the region.

The new three-story building was designed for a constrained site within the car park of the campus. It was carefully located to create spaces with maximum daylight, views and access to therapeutic outdoor spaces between existing buildings to support well-being. The design is highly efficient and provides the best clinical pathways that reduce walking distances for staff, maximize patient care time, and minimize wait times. Patients and visitors are greeted by a welcoming and human scale entrance that provides an accessible flow into the ground floor admissions suite and outpatient treatment and X-ray rooms. The Centre also accommodates three surgical theatres, 34 inpatient rooms and short ward spaces, as well as staff amenities. Simple design enhancements such as pocket spaces at the end of corridors are set up as informal consulting and social areas and act as goals to encourage patients to leave their rooms.  A variety of seating types was provided to allow space to sit as individuals or groups incorporating fully integrated artwork to create a positive healing environment.

The design prioritizes passive sustainability measures with lean approach to the design. The external envelope has high insulation and air tightness to minimize energy loss, and the building’s thermal model prevents overheating by active systems, and solar and inhabitant gain. Material choices and aesthetic reflect simplicity, longevity and efficiency. Warmer shades and timber signal all patient interfaces throughout the building. As Lead Consultant, NORR managed a staged design process using virtual reality, 3D interactive walkthroughs and technical interface workshops with practitioner users and partners. This ensured analysis of room fit, patient flow and function before key department layouts, and building footprint had been finalized. This allowed the correct building blocks to be in place early in the project. The result is a dedicated orthopedic facility that places patients at the core of care.